WITH temperatures reaching 34 degrees in Mildura on Saturday, the Red Cliffs versus Mildura A Grade netball game at Brian Weightman Oval was always going to be a scorcher.
Romany Bowen’s Tigers had a flying start in the first quarter with accurate shooting and tough defencive play via Morna Naquto and Varanisese Naquto at goal defence and goal keeper respectively.
The Red Cliffs coach said she believed the pair’s injection into the side has been a huge plus for the Tigers.
Zara Copley at goal shooter for Red Cliffs fired accurately, but Brooke Hards went down early with a suspected knee injury.
Bowen then had to depend on depleted bench support to keep the team on track.
By the time the quarter time buzzer sounded the Tigers were three goals ahead.
The Demons had a shaky start to the second, but co-coach Jess McNamara in goal attack helped stabilise the scores with three important goals.
The third quarter saw Mildura’s Milan Forbes find her feet, and the score at the end of the quarter showed Red Cliffs still in front by three goals.
The last quarter saw Mildura score early through goal Ash Morello in her stunning seniors debut with support from Jess McNamara.
“She (Morello) absolutely dominated the ring” McNamara said.
The Tigers defence was tiring in the heat and the score at the end of the game was a nail biting draw.
“Myself and Ava (Zadow) are extremely proud of the girls and how they played. We had a lot of girls playing their first time in A grade so we knew it was never going to be an easy game,” Demons coach Jess McNamara said.
Bowen was equally satisfied by her Tigers team.
“I was impressed with our fight in the second half and we implemented what we did in training which I’m proud of,” she said.
