By netball writers MATT TAYLOR and TYM GLASER
Indi Spratt, above, prepares to accept a pass for the Swallows. Picture: Paula Mastrippolito
Opening burst secures Swallows’ win
IRYMPLE has staved off a spirited comeback from a much-improved Robinvale Euston team in their SFNL A Grade netball game at Henshilwood Reserve.
The Swallows stormed to a 18-6 lead at quarter-time before going on to secure a 44-38 triumph in front of a good-sized home crowd.
The Eagles, coming off their first win of the season, won the second and third quarters before missing some golden scoring opportunities in the final term as they built up good momentum.
Swallows coach Sherrie Geister said her 2-2 team had “some really great passages of play and then we had some pretty ordinary ones”.
“We were stoked with the first quarter but then fell into some bad habits,” she said.
Eagles coach Hayley Siddons said the “slow start definitely cost us the game”.
“We got penalised a fair bit in the first half but then the whole game settled down,” she said.
“We missed a few goals in the last quarter. And if you miss goals, you lose games.”
South Mildura’s Brianna Scullino, above. Picture: Ben Gross
South sees off tenacious Merbein
SOUTH Mildura pulled away in the second half to claim a tough victory against Merbein at the Kenny Park courts on Saturday.
The scores in the SFNL A Grade clash were tied at 23 apiece going into the main break but the visiting Bulldogs moved up an extra gear in the second half in a relatively low-scoring affair to hold a 36-29 lead after the third quarter and maintain that seven-point margin at the final horn – 45-38.
Raquel Ban and Taylor Sellens were named best for the visitors but coach Sally Moore said her team’s mid-court efforts provided the decisive factor in a game which saw Magpie wing attack Olivia Bowden leave with a severe left-arm injury just before halftime and taken to hospital.
“It was a very contested game, very sticky and it was unfortunate for them (to lose a player) but it was an impressive performance from our midcourt today,” Moore said. “They (Merbein) are a wonderful side … they play very smart defence.
“In term of where we are, we are focusing on our attack this year and it is really rewarding to see each week thst we are getting better and better on the court.”
Sisters Johannah and Sophie Gray were nominated best for the Magpies.
Dees squeeze past Kangas
MILDURA was too good for Ouyen United on the city side’s home court, the Demons winning 43-38.
Ellie Vincent and Ava Zadow were best for the Demons, who now have three wins from three games, plus a bye.
Catherine Brown and Pauly Munro did well for the Kangas, who remain on the bottom of the ladder at 0-4.
Tigers torn to pieces
WENTWORTH handed Red Cliffs an 87-18 thrashing at George Gordon Oval.
Scorers and best players were not immediately available,
