NO Kyra Nathan, no worries for Ouyen United as they continued their late-season surge to improve their claim to a top-four position in SFNL A Grade netball.
South Mildura and the Kangas have played some tight, combative games in recent history, but the visitors executed well after quarter-time to win by five goals at Mildura Sporting Precinct, 38-33.
The injection of 14-year-old star shooter Maggie Smith after quarter time was the boost Ouyen United needed after South Mildura controlled the first quarter.
The Kangas missed Nathan’s leadership and poise early but adapted as the game progressed. The defensive efforts of Tsharni Burns and Esther Manley allowed their attacking half to get away with a few errors at times when they were adjusting.
The second and third quarters were dominated by Ouyen United, who turned a four-goal quarter time deficit into a five-goal lead at the last break.
South Mildura improved in the last quarter, but the Kangas were able to hold strong to secure the win that they narrowly missed when a potential buzzer- beater was disallowed last time, resulting in a draw.
Kangas’ star Catherine Brown was happy with how the team adjusted without Nathan in the side.
“It took us a bit to get into the swing of things without her (Nathan) leadership on the court. When we brought Maggie on, we got into our flow,” she said.
“Our defenders had a ripping game. Esther and Tsharni’s combination is really coming together with knowing who is going (to intercept) and when they will go. They kept us in the game.
“South played with great intensity. They kept coming at us.”
Bulldogs’ shooter Sarah Telfer was exceptional, and Tayla Sellens provided South with plenty of grit and drive.
The loss puts South Mildura’s top four aspirations in jeopardy. The recent form of the Bulldogs would be concerning, not having won any of their past five games, with injuries being a factor in that form drop.
