NERVES were running high for both Merbein and Robinvale Euston in their first game of the season at the newly christened Compound Accounting Park at Merbein on Saturday.
Robinvale Euston came out strong with defensive duo Jorja Delcastenge and Kirsten Neyland impressing in their first game together.
Yet they didn’t go unanswered as Merbein’s Emily Gray fought back with her accurate shooting, ending the first quarter with the Magpies up by a goal.
Carmen Garreffa joined the Eagles A Grade side in centre, and with Georgia Giofrelle in attack the pair worked well together feeding into shooters Sarah Hepburn and Gabby Marrone.
Merbein’s Aimee Geyer and Zhoe Chiswell proved to be just as strong under the ring, extending their team’s lead to three at half-time.
The Eagles came out with some changes in the third, moving Hepburn into goal shooter and Giofrelle at attack, while Robinvale Euston debutante Evie Priest took the court at wing attacked and performed well.
Taneh Romeo was also on court at centre, and then quickly rotated into wing defence creating pressure on Merbein’s impressive Sophie Gray and Vanessa Rodi in attack.
The changes paid dividends, and Robinvale Euston was up by two going into the three quarter time break.
Not to be outdone, Merbein’s defence rebounded well and domiteded when moving the ball down the court into attack.
The Magpie’s A Graders had patience, and were calm and steady at the right times of the game.
The fourth quarter saw both teams going goal for goal until Merbein got the jump in the last few minutes winning a nail biting game by two at home.
