WENTWORTH’S slick-passing game in tough, windy conditions was a highlight of their 76-22 romp against Robinvale Euston at Dareton on Saturday.
Classy playing coach Amanda Edwards scored 49 of the Roos’ goals as the home team kept their unbeaten run, that dates back to the SFNL A Grade netball grand final in 2019, intact.
The fast and furious nature of the Roos’ play left the young Eagles wondering what had hit them, aside from the 50km/h wind gusts at George Gordon Ovals.
With Edwards and fellow attacking weapon Lizzie Rowe dominating in attack, combined with the defensive brick wall of Nat Vercher and Courtney Wakefield, the Eagles were outclassed at both ends of the court.
After the match, Edwards spoke about how important it was to keep players in motion for the Roos to execute their impressive game plan.
“This all starts at training,” she said. “We practice hard to link our transition in attack and defence.
“Just those connections out on court, we practice a lot at getting the timing right.”
Ominously, she added: “I think we’re still improving.
“Our defence, in particular, is getting better each week. It’s the same with our pressure and intensity.
“I was really happy with how we strung together four really good quarters today. That was something we struggled with last week.”
Eagles coach Hayley Siddons was full of praise for the Roos after the heavy loss.
“They are an elite team,” Siddons said.
“Our aim was to get 20 goals against them, so we smashed that,” she added, with a laugh.
“We also wanted to keep them under 70, because that’s what they got against us last time.
“But they got a roll on and it gets a bit deflating when you’re down by 50 goals.”
Asked how the Roos can be stopped from getting back-to-back flags, Siddons said: “They can’t.
“They go deep and they have the best players in the league,” she said.
“They are all experienced and really good athletes. Good luck to anyone who can be competitive against them.”
– Matt Taylor
Indi’s clutch shot
IN a thrilling game of A Grade netball, third-placed South Mildura rallied late to draw with fifth-placed Irymple at Henshilwood Reserve.
The Swallows lead by as much as five in the final term and looked the likely winners until the Bulldogs overtook them with just seconds left to play.
Home-side sharpshooter Indi Spratt, however, managed to nail a clutch goal on the siren to deny the visitors a fairytale win.
Bulldogs coach Sally Moore said she was disappointed with her team’s overall effort.
“The last five minutes of that game was how we needed to play the whole time,” she said.
“The energy was down today and they picked it up a little too late.”
Moore gave props to the Swallows forward half, who were efficient all day.
“It couldn’t have been in better hands at the end with Indi Spratt, she shot exceptionally well all day,” she said.
The young Swallows certainly looked better on the day, so ultimately Moore was pretty happy with the draw.
For the Bulldogs, shooters Sarah Telfer and Ellen Brewster worked well and hit some clutch shots in the final quarter.
“You have those days sometimes … it felt like we were getting annihilated at one stage but it was an exciting finish,” Moore said.
The experience at the end showed for the Bulldogs, and one could argue that the Swallows’ inexperience cost them a vital win.
– Josh Riseley
Imps hold firm
IMPERIALS held off a furious Red Cliffs’ final-quarter rally at the Brian Weightman Oval courts to keep their slim hopes of an A Grade finals berth alive.
The hosts, who drew with the Tigers in their first-round encounter, had a two-point lead at the main break and extended that margin to nine, 32-23, heading into the final quarter.
However, in cool and sometimes blustery conditions, Red Cliffs, whose only points so far this season were reaped in that draw with Imps, rallied strongly only to go down by two points – 37-35 – and remain winless.
The Green Team gained the valuable four points to remain in seventh but still within touching distance of the top four with three wins and two draws to go along with six losses.
“The game got a little closer than we thought, but having that third-quarter buffer certainly helped,” a relieved Imperials coach Kym Mayne said, after the encounter.
“We overused the ball and lost possession late in the game but that’s definitely something we can work on.
“We are in touch and we just need to beat the teams near us over the next few weeks. But, we know we have got a big challenge ahead of us.”
Mayne nominated Tracey Sherlock and Meg McManus as her side’s top performers while Lola O’Connor and Jorja Parker were chosen as Red Cliffs’ top two on the day.
– Tym Glaser
Kangas on a roll
THE Ouyen United Kangas continued their resurgence in the second half of the A Grade netball season, registering a 54-35 win against Merbein at Kenny Park.
The Kangas had a fast start and raced out to a 10-goal lead at the first change, with Maggie Smith shooting 10 goals herself as a beneficiary of the Kangas controlling the midcourt.
The game changed considerably when midcourt maestro Kyra Nathan injured her calf, which created a different dynamic for the Kangas. Merbein capitalised somewhat, winning the second quarter. Ouyen’s experienced heads lifted after halftime to see the Kangas keep Merbein at bay. Smith ended up with 41 of 54 goals on a tough day for shooters.
Esther Manley was awarded best on court for Ouyen for her performance in goal defence and Megan Jardine was at her competitive best in wing defence.
Ouyen coach Kyra Nathan was happy to see their winning form continue, with the Kangas only losing one game since Round 4.
“It was a good win, our defence was brilliant,” she said. “We adjusted well in the last half as we got used to our combinations (Bree Barker replacing Nathan at WA). Ellen Morrish again was great for us.
“We made a few silly passes in the second quarter and Merbein lifted their effort and intensity. They play a space game and have some really good young players.”
For Merbein, captain Olivia Bowden showed her versatility in attack, playing in three different positions as the Magpies tried three combinations to try and crack a tough Kangas defence. Johannah Gray was recognised for another strong performance at goal defence in a compelling battle against Kangas star Catherine Brown.
Ouyen’s form will face a stern test against a powerful Mildura unit on Ladies’ Day at Underbool next week.
Merbein will have to overcome South Mildura if they wish to keep their finals hopes alive.
– Nic Vine
