IMPERIALS pulled off one of the upsets of the early SFNL A Grade netball season when they clung on grimly for a one-goal win over Irymple at the Henshilwood Oval courts on Saturday.
All was going to script in the early stages with the Swallows holding a five-goal edge at the first break.
However, the new-look Imps outfit, struggling at the bottom of the table with an 0-3 record to start 2024, morphed into a mean, green machine in the second stanza – adding 15 goals to nine. From there were never headed despite a tense final term which ended 45-44 in favour of the gritty visitors.
“I am very happy with that win,” Imperials playing coach Ali Walker said. “The girls have needed it. We were just talking during the week about getting around each other and making sure we were playing for each other and not individually.
“And also backing the juniors who performed really well today. It was a very physical game and our passing was quite sloppy in the first quarter, so I just said we have to time our leads better and they did that.”
While Imps are looking forward to two weeks off in their next three, Irymple, who went into the game with a 2-0 record, face some remedial work on the courts this week.
“I just thought our passing let us down a little today,” Irymple coach Sherrie Geister said.
“It was good conditions today and we didn’t shoot overly well but that was not the main problem. We will regroup this week and get ready for a tough game with Merbein.”
Centre Tracey Sherlock and defender Laci McHugh were named Imps’ best in an even team performance while Elyse Kempton and Bronte Pezzaniti led the way for the Swallows.
Irymple 44 lost to Imperials 45
EST: Irymple: Elyse Kempton, Bronte Pezzaniti. Imperials: Tracey Sherlock, Laci McHugh.
