BAMBILL were made to battle hard out at Gol Gol on Saturday before keeping their perfect record intact with a six-goal victory over the hosts.
After a tough first half which saw the Saints leading by six, they expanded that margin to 10 at the final break and appeared set to cruise home, but the Hawks fought back in the last quarter – mainly through tight defence – and reduced the final deficit to six, 39-33.
At the end of the first third of the regular season Bambill are at 5-0 and have a mighty goal differential of 74, mainly due a lockdown defence which concedes fewer than 30 goals per game on average.
Seasoned defender Breigh Hammet was again in top form while Tessa Houkamau was her dangerous self in the circle and mid-courter Roanna Gathercole was industrious all day.
Gol Gol fought the good fight with Ally Stanborough, Jarae Johnson and Abbey Curran being their leading performers, but they just didn’t quite have enough firepower to haul in the ladder leaders.
The day’s other two games also went as expected with the higher ranked teams pulling off comfortable wins.
Out at the Lake, second-placed Cardross were never seriously challenged on their way to a 54-37 victory over an improved Meringur outfit.
The Lions (4-1) led by five goals at the first break and increased that quarter by quarter.
Shooter Tamara Hamence was dominant again along with partner in crime Georgia Leutner and consistent midcourter Bronte Burgess.
Jessica Tiller, defender Bella Connell and Christina Villiva were named among the hosts’ best.
Werrimull, third on a ladder which is starting to spread out, accounted for winless reigning premiers Nangiloc 61-44.
Ginine Sluiter’s side has shown improved form over the past couple of weeks, and a breakthrough win shouldn’t be that far away, but the Magpies were a class above at the Nangiloc oval courts in the 2024 grand final rematch.
Anna Thomson, Chelsea Newey and centre Erin Sell led the way for the Pies while Sluiter, Amber King and Chloe Nelson stood out for the Demons.
