IMPERIALS have reignited their season with a gritty and determined 46-39 SFNL A Grade victory over Irymple on the Henshilwood netball courts, overcoming a sluggish start to dominate the final quarter in a statement triumph.
After trailing for much of the contest, Imperials were forced to rally quickly as their shooting accuracy improved throughout the match.
Irymple had looked in control early, dictating the tempo with smart ball movement and clean finishes inside the goal circle.
The home side’s sharp transitional play kept Imps on the back foot as they struggled to break through the Swallows’ initially stern defensive discipline.
Imperials, however, remained in the fight, sparked by some outstanding intercept work from goal defence Maggie Monaghan and centre Tracey Sherlock.
“Our defence was really good, they spoke really well, and Maggie was amazing,” Imps captain Meg McManus said.
“She stayed in the game the whole time and didn’t let ref calls or anything get into her head.”
The Imperials found their rhythm entering halftime trailing by just a goal, 21-20, after a resilient resurgence.
“It was awesome today as we haven’t performed in all four quarters of netball yet this season,” McManus said.
“We tend to drop off in the third, and fitness has been a big thing for us, but I was really proud of how we stuck with them today.”
The third quarter provided tense viewing as both sides traded goals in a close battle for momentum.
Imperials’ defence continued to tighten, forcing Irymple into more shooting errors, while their attack became more composed and efficient under the post.
The teams were level pegging going into the concluding quarter at 30-30. Imperials managed to lift and led for the first time in the entire game at the start of the fourth.
A brilliant goal from just inside the goal circle by Imperials player Ella Hards extended the margin, as Irymple’s shooting accuracy crumbled under the mounting pressure.
“Our ability to go short rather than always looking for the long option was huge today,” said McManus.
“We settled when it was a bit erratic and we were able to get the game in our hands.”
Imperials pushed out to their biggest lead of the game late in the quarter, with their defensive circle suffocating Irymple’s scoring outlets while their shooters capitalised at the opposite end.
McManus said the comeback win was built on hard lessons from recent losses, including last week’s defeat to ladder leaders Wentworth.
“We had really hard trainings during the week as we watched the recording of last our game and everyone had to come up with three things we needed to work on,” she said.
“That was our homework, and we brought it onto the court today.”
Despite being under pressure on the ladder in seventh place, McManus said she believes the result could spark a turnaround for her side.
“This was a huge confidence booster,” she said.
“We knew we’d match up pretty well with them, and now to get the win, it gives us a lot of belief for the rest of the season.”
McManus’ side banked their second win of the campaign as the loss for Irymple drops them into fourth place on the table and just four points ahead of Imperials who are seventh.
