Picture: Ben Gross
Dees demolish Swallows
MILDURA bounced back from their first loss of the A Grade netball season in fine style with a 61 to 29 win over Irymple at Henshilwood Oval.
An outstanding defensive performance in the second term was imperative to opening up a 20-goal half time advantage which they expanded across the game.
Captain Jess McNamara proved why she is the reigning Horkings Medal winner with an outstanding athletic display and deadly accuracy at goal shooter, alongside partner in crime Ellie Vincent.
Ava Zadow and Millicent Steward were a formidable defensive pairing and midcourters Ally Leng, Katelyn Challis and Maddie Alvino we’re quick and creative with their passing.
While it was a tough day at the office for the home side, their youngest player, Sophie Price, made some brilliant interceptions while the Demons we’re on top, and captain Shakara Delcastegne worked tirelessly to keep the Swallows in the game.
Mildura coach Sharon Watson was over the moon with her side’s performance and knows they’ll be hunted by the competition for the rest of the season, beginning with Merbein next week.
– Mitch Rodd
The Wenty show keeps rolling on
ANOTHER week, another win for Wentworth, who took care of business at George Gordon Oval and defeated Ouyen United 48-23.
The Roos were at their scintillating best against the Kangas, led by coach Amanda Edwards who shot well over half of her team’s points.
At just over the midpoint of the home-and-away season, the Roos remain unbeaten while the kangas are locked in the middle of the pack with three wins.
“We did really well today, even with some changes made we were still able to crest some margin there today,” Edwards said.
“One of our main focuses is that once we create that lead, we want to keep pushing on.
“Our aim is to go quarter by quarter and to win every one of those. It’s a push on effect and what we really aim for.”
For the Kangas it was a tough day.
The Roos will meet the third placed South Mildura for the second time next week.
“South will be a really great contest, they’ve got some great juniors as well, I know that they’re developing,” Edwards said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how they’ve improved from last time.”
Edwards said she was very happy with the team’s undefeated record.
“We know that we are probably the most hunted team at the moment, so our job is just the keep the momentum and keep things rolling,” she said.
-Josh Riseley
Picture: Ben Gross
Eagles in a thriller
ROBINVALE Euston recorded their second win of the SFNL A Grade netball season with a thrilling 39-36 triumph against Red Cliffs at Quandong Park.
Hayley Siddons’ young Eagles were superbly led by centre Taneh Romeo, whose work rate was enormous.
The Eagles rallied from a two-goal half-time deficit to produce a decisive 11-goal-to-six third quarter on the back of more composed ball movement.
Coach Siddons was full of pride in her players, some of whom made their first appearance of the season.
“As always, we were short of players. We have four regular A-graders and six regular B-graders and we try to make it work with that nucleus and some fill-ins,” Siddons said.
“I’ve now played 25 players in A Grade this season, so every week is a new challenge.
“We’ve got a couple of girls back from boarding school today and our goal keeper (Georgia Mulder), who lives in Queensland, has come down to visit her boyfriend who plays in our senior footy team. She’ll play both A and B Grade for us today.”
She praised the team, who went winless last year, for overcoming moments of panic in the second quarter.
“I just asked the girls to stay calm and they responded very well, including our two 15-year-olds,” Siddons said.
“Hayley Smith is one of those 15-year-olds, and she impressed me at shooter. It was her first full A Grade.
“Overall, we had three new players in the side and I thought we held strong under pressure.”
The Tigers remain winless this season after they secured an opening-round draw with Imperials.
– Matt Taylor
South grinds out a comeback
IN a dogged battle of defences, South Mildura rallied from a seven-goal halftime deficit to eke out a 24-22 victory over Imperials at the Brian Weightman courts and solidify their place in the SFNL A Grade top four.
The Bulldogs bounced back from a 16-9 margin at the main break to level the scores at 18 apiece going into the final quarter and then held on grimly, as Imps failed to convert late shots, to claim a much-needed four points to keep them in the top three with a 6-2-1 record.
“Both teams defended the shooting well. They had the circle covered and there was just no conversion,” a relieved South Mildura coach Sally Moore said after the game.
“We made some positional changes at halftime to see if that would help with link-ups down the court because we were creating so many opportunities defensively and they paid off.” Moore said.
“I’m just really proud of how the team played … you’ve just got to keep grinding and grinding and that is what they did today.
“Now that we’ve played everyone we realise there is no easy competition. It’s just a matter of sometimes, in those key moments and areas, to get ahead and take advantage of those opportunities.”
The Bulldogs next opponent will require all of that and a bit more as they face undefeated reigning premiers Wentworth while Imperials, 2-6-1, travel to Robinvale Euston in a bid to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
Not surprisingly, goal defence Morna Naquto and goal keeper Sharne Lane were named the victor’s best while wing defence Millie Kuhne and goal defence Meg McManus were chosen as Imps’ outstanding players.
– Tym Glaser
