Tara Hammerstein looks to pass after snaring an intercept. Picture: Bernard Humphreys
Demons building towards finals challenge
MILDURA all but sealed their place in the top two of the SFNL A Grade netball competition with a comfortable 16-point victory over nearest chasers, third-placed South Mildura, at the Brian Weightman Oval courts.
The hosts were barely troubled on their way to a 60-44 win, in which they extended their lead in each quarter.
Comfortably ensconced in second on the ladder with 42 points, it would appear the Demons are ultimately set for a final showdown with unbeaten ladder leaders and reigning premiers Wentworth.
Cautious Mildura coach Sharon Watson, however, was just happy with the day’s win and not looking too far forward.
“The girls dug deep and did what they needed to do today, which I am extremely happy about,” Watson said.
“We should have second sealed now but second or third mean nothing at the end of the day. You can’t underestimate any opposition. We’ve got Robinvale next week at their home court and we just have to concentrate on what we do well and how to shut them down.”
Alley Lang and Gilley Vincent were the standout performers for the victors while Sarah Telfer and Raquel Ban were named the Bulldogs best two on court.
– Tym Glaser
Super scorers Wentworth hit new heights
STAR shooter Amanda Edwards sank a whopping 66 goals as frontrunning Wentworth came within a whisker of cracking a ton against a hapless Imperials in Dareton.
The queen of Sunraysia’s netball courts was seeing the goal ring like a 40-litre bucket as she drained shot after shot in the Roos’ 97-15 landslide win.
Edwards had her full bag of tricks on display as she provided the best moment of the match late in the fourth quarter.
Off balance and about to tumble out of court, the 36-year-old former Mildura Heat basketballer threw up a Hail Mary shot from behind the goal that was all net.
Her combination in the goal circle with 21-year-old Lizzie Rowe is reaching new heights, as Edwards acknowledged after her masterclass.
“We’ve been working together for a few years now and it’s just built up well over time. Her maturity on court has gone up a level. She tries to help me and I try to help her,” Edwards said.
The playing coach said her team was pushing hard to hit 100 goals.
“We definitely had that target in mind. Our aim is to hit 20 a quarter and we did even better than that today so I’m very happy,” she said.
“Our passing and defence were on point again, which makes it easier for the shooters.
“We aim to create and convert on the turnovers we get, and the girls did that well.”
Asked how the Roos, who are unbeaten since the 2019 grand final, keep up the motivation, Edwards said: “We set our goals early in the season and we want to be in the grand final again.
“This is our top priority and we keep working hard every week to make sure we get there.”
– Matt Taylor
Picture: Ben Gross
Solid Swallows overcome Tigers
IRYMPLE’S top four ambitions remain intact following a 53 to 36 victory over Red Cliffs at Henshilwood Oval.
The Swallows we’re too quick and too clinical for the Tigers, who are a much better side than their bottom-of-the-ladder position suggests.
Red Cliffs won the third term and threatened to pull closer, but the home side put the foot down in the final term.
Irymple’s defensive trio of Jorja Delcastegne, Lily Droffelaar and Sophie Price were intercept machines.
Attacking trio Meg Hammond, Indi Spratt and MacKenzie Ryan’s movement and positioning was outstanding, and Shakara Delcastegne in centre pulled all the pieces together.
Luck often plays a vital support role in sport, and Red Cliffs felt the downside of this on multiple occasions, creating turnovers or intercepting passes, only for the loose ball to rebound into the waiting arms of a Swallows player.
Defender Yelena Richardson did everything in her power to keep the Tigers in the game, grabbing multiple intercepts, centre Jacqulyn Bell hustled non-stop for the contest and Jasmin Parker provided a tall target under the ring.
Magpies outfly Eagles
MERBEIN recorded a strong win against Robinvale Euston.
The Magpies won 55-37 on their home court at Kenny Park.
We’ll have more on that match on Monday’s Sunraysia Daily
