After a long-awaited return to the courts, the Mount Gambier Netball Association season began in style with the Anzac round last weekend.
Special representatives from the local Mount Gambier RSL Subbranch Dieter Merchel and Kelly Copeland in attendance alongside Cameron Horsburgh playing a spine chilling rendition of the Last Post and Rivoli on the Bugle.
The Set and Go teams came out on Friday night with smiles, enthusiasm and a passion for the sport, while the following day saw the remaining grades come out along with the early morning some great games in the Under 13 B and 15 grades started the day off with some great passages of play.
The Under 13A and 17 teams rounded off the morning well with each team’s hard work showing well on court. Saints junior player in Jorja Mason took home the Junior player of the round award this week after playing a great game in goals scoring 16 of her side’s 20 goals.
Seniors were forced to take to the wet courts showing a mix of nerves after not playing for two years. A2 and B2 was close between some sides, while others opened large margins before A and B1 Grade were up to round out the day.
The three A Grade games were close right the way through to the final whistle. Vicis and Zodiacs played a well matched game with the main difference being team consistence and shooting accuracy.
Bianca Vorwerk scored 11 goals in the last quarter to help her side to a 11-goal win. She mixed well with teammate Jessica Grigg, while Zodiacs goalies Jaslyn Poel and Joselyn Work, worked hard to score consistently.
Saints and Amazons came up against each other with the result being 12 goals in Saints’ favor. Strong work in defence, saw the victors take a strong lead in the first quarter, while the mid court work from Jordy Jones and Nicole Forrest feed the ball well down the court.
Amazons looked to Captain Jacqui Loosemore and Robyn Hill to convert their goals. Loosemore scored 14 of Amazons’ goals for the game. In the Anzac game of the round, Intruders came up against a determined Hobitz line up in a rematch of the 2019 grand final.
Both sides came out fast and pressure was on each pass all over the court. Hobitz stood tall and took a strong lead after the first quarter, but had a tougher time in the second term.
Both sides had a run of goals after making changes at the main break. Hobitz opted to rest Kellie Wallace and bring on Maddy Cowland and this move in attack assisted Jordi Gower and Suzanne Crowe in their placement of passes being spot on.
However, Intruders stormed back into the contest after the third term to level the scores at 38 each. Hobitz regrouped in the break, but Intruders did not let the game slip away.
Passing was challenged at every opportunity and defensive pressure all over the court was high. When the final whistle was blown, Hobitz took the win 53-47.
The Marg Dennert Medallion was awarded to Intruders’ Gabriella Chandler for her display of teamwork, encouragement and overall spirit shown on court.
