SOUTH GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER

Sarah Ritter has again had a dominant opening half to set up an 18 goal victory for the reigning premiers over South Gambier at Blue Lake Sports Park at the weekend.

The star shooter netted 32 from 38 in the opening half, setting up a 14 goal half time lead and while the Demons turned the match into an arm wrestle in the second half in a vastly improved performance, they were unable to make inroads.

Given they were taken on the 2022 premiership line-up, the young South line-up is definitely making strides and will continue to work towards greater consistency and securing more scoring opportunities for Gracie Dalton and Alyssa Duncan, who again made the most of their opportunities in the shooting circle.

But in the end, West Gambier was just too strong with clinical ball movement in attack and a relentless defensive line-up that consistently create turnover ball and make the opposition front line work overtime for every possession.

The connection between Lisa McGregor and Ritter, as well as the hard running and pinpoint delivery of Tara Bryant, made life tough for the South defensive line although Sophie Wight and Ellie Bouchier did still disrupt the flow from time to time.

Megan Reid had a good battle with Bryant and was a key link player for the Demons, while the accurate finishing of the Demons goalers ensured the Demons stayed in touch, converting 46 from 58, but the misses were generally turnovers with Jade Ritter and Amy Cram dominating the air in the rebounding duels and any cross court aerial approaches from South.


NORTH GAMBIER V EAST GAMBIER

It was a tight opening quarter at Vansittart Park and at the first break it was the underdog Bulldogs with a one goal lead.

The conditions made for hard work for both teams with ball in hand, with neither team able to establish any flow and the defensive line-ups ensuring there was no easy ball.

Missing star shooter Grace Potts, North gave the goal shooter bib to swingman Stella Mobbs, who has also had an impact in the defensive circle this season, and it took a little while for the North frontline to settle into the new line-up.

With her more experienced shooting partner missing, teenager goaler Macey Griffith had to step up and she did it with ease, taking more shooting responsibilities and working hard out the front of Mobbs.

Arguably best on court, Griffith upped her work rate after quarter time, missing only one goal for the match and netting 17 of the Tigers 40 goals – a much larger percentage than her usual output when Potts is on court.

At the other end, Renee Henke was also on song, missing only two goals for the match, as both sides struggled to create scoring opportunities courtesy of some impressive full court defensive pressure from both sides.

There was only a three goal difference at half time, with the Tigers having wrestled back the lead, but it was in the third the match was won and done in a 14-6 quarter that set up an 11 goal three quarter time lead.

It was all about supply in that quarter as North converted 14 from 16 and East could manage only eight scoring opportunities.

The final quarter saw the Bulldogs back in the contest but the damage was done and while they won the quarter by one, they were too far back.

Morgan Amy was outstanding in defence for East, while Henke continues to be a consistent performer for East while Griffith and Mel Renko were best for North.


MILLICENT V CASTERTON SANDFORD

The 78-33 scoreline is no doubt comprehensive as Millicent got the job done against Casterton Sandford at the weekend but for the Cats is was a marked improvement – keeping the Saints to16 less goals than last time they met and also scoring more prolifically themselves.

While the conditions played a role, adding some more experience to the line-up seemed to pay dividends for Casterton Sandford with the shooting combination of Tori Broomby and Paige Murrell looking dangerous but suffering from some inaccuracy, while the defensive line also added a veteran with Sharna Fidler taking to the court.

But as is always the case when taking on the Saints, Millicent just creates so many scoring opportunities, built on clinical ball movement in attack and relentless defensive pressure through the mid court and goal third.

Tabatha Sanderson proved unstoppable at the post, netting 66 of Millicent’s 78 goals, including 16 straight in the second quarter, while Lisa Duldig was outstanding on the defensive wing, shutting down the dangerous Madeline Patton, who was coming off two outstanding performances, and marshalling the defensive third for the saints to ensure the cats struggled to find a way through.

Missing goal defence Lauren Van Eeden, the Saints teamed up Kimmi Tincknell and Portia McRae in the defensive circle and the new look duo did not miss a beat – such is the versatility of the Millicent defensive line.

Duldig was also critical in transition, as she linked with Lillie Paul, Daisy Tunkin and Demi Verbena, who all fed Sanderson with precision.

Madalene Cleary played the first half in centre and then moved to goal attack for the second for the Cats and, along with tireless defender Caeleigh Humphries, was again the Cats’ best.