By netball writers TYM GLASER, MITCH RODD, and SARAH BUCHECKER
Kangas secure first win
OUYEN United have finally secured their first win of the season, after a narrow draw last week.
The Kangas lead Robinvale Euston from the first quarter and didn’t let the Eagles fly ahead.
Even during the third quarter, when Robinvale Euston held Ouyen United to only four goals compared to their 11, the Kangas still managed to fire ahead in the final quarter to bring home the win, 45-37.
Ouyen United have now overtaken Robinvale Euston to sit in seventh place on the ladder.
– Sarah Buchecker
Strong Roos fly ahead of Swallows
Wentworth’s Kelsey Cameron in WA. Picture: Ben Gross
A BLISTERING start allowed defending champions Wentworth to secure a 53-28 Victory over Irymple at George Gordon Oval.
The Roos bounded out of the blocks by scoring the first 10 goals of the game, and taking a 19-2 quarter-time lead, attacking ruthlessly and pouncing on the few errors the Irymple actually made.
While there was an air of inevitability regarding the result, the young Swallows showed brilliant character to go with the ladder leaders for the rest of the game, aside from a late flurry of goals conceded.
Wentworth coach Amanda Edwards and Liz Rowe were hard to stop in attack once again, while Ashlee Cameron pulled the strings at WD and then centre in the absence of the injured Christie Becker.
A Grade debutant Lola McInerny also impressed in defence, with the 16-year-old slotting in alongside Natalie Vercher and Courtney Wakefield.
For Irymple, Shakara Delcastgene led the way through the centre, McKenzie Ryan impressed when switched into attack after quarter time, and Lilly Droffelaar showed some fight in defence when brought off the bench.
Edwards said post-game her side knew the young Irymple outfit would throw everything at them, and she was pleased with their first and final quarters.
Late in the game, Rowe (ankle) and Wakefield (elbow) both came to the bench and will be monitored during the week.
– Mitch Rodd
Last effort push not enough for Tigers
Red Cliffs’ Jacqulyn Bell is defended by Katelyn Challis and Ellie Vincent. Picture: Sarah Buchecker
MILDURA were an unstoppable force from the first whistle on Saturday, using their strength and unpredictability to ultimately defeat Red Cliffs at Quandong Park.
The Demons hit the court with fire, keeping poised to create an early lead against the Tigers.
The young but experienced side were up nine goals by the end of the first quarter.
From here the scores continued to climb as Mildura’s shooter remained accurate and steady in goals.
Even after a last-quarter push from Red Cliffs, where they scored six more goals than their opponents, it was too late and the Demons took home the win, 54-34.
Mildura co-coach Jess McNamara, who had a stellar game in goals, said it was an “extremely good” game from both teams, especially in the heat.
“It was competitive they were coming at us hard the whole time,” she said.
“We definitely couldn’t leave any room for movement that’s for sure.”
Red Cliffs coach Chantal Allford was proud of her girls for how they competed against the second-on-the-ladder team.
“I think our girls did a really good job of stepping up, every week we are stepping up and to go down the way we did to the second on the ladder team, I think they did a really good job,” she said.
“The intensity was there.”
Allford recognised the work of midcourters Jacqulyn Bell and Lola O’Connor.
“They put a lot of pressure through the court,” she said.
“For Jac to play such a massive role over the whole game was amazing.”
– Sarah Buchecker
Imperials close in on Merbein
Imperials’ Kia Scott scored 33 goals for her team (Photo from previous game).
A GRITTY defensive effort by Imperials saw the hosts emerge with a 41-29 victory over Merbein and keep their hopes of a finals berth alive at the Brian Weightman Oval.
Led by defenders Caitlyn Wood and Meg McManus, Imps took the lead early and were never headed by fellow top-four hopefuls Merbein on the unusually warm June day.
The win supplied the sixth-placed team with four points and moved them only two behind the fifth-placed Magpies as the battle for places in the playoffs have pretty much been narrowed down to six sides now.
Imps coach Kym Mayne was full of praise after her side’s gritty defensive effort.
“Our inner-circle defence got us a lot of rebounds and put a lot of pressure on their goalers, which had been happening to us in recent years,” she said.
“We are in a good place for that position (top four) so every game counts.
“We have Mildura next week and everyone is looking forward to that matchup as it will certainly tell us where we are.”
Kia Scott had 33 goals for the victors while Emily Gray (13) led the way for the Magpies.
Newcomer Wood and McManus were chosen as the hosts best while Johannah Gray and Stephanie White claimed the honours for the visitors.
– Tym Glaser
