WELL, thanks for that.
After about an hour-and-a-half of intriguing netball action between the MFNL’s top two A Grade sides, we are still pretty much none the wiser as to who rules the roost.
Unbeaten Bambill, last year’s minor premiers, and this year’s surprise side Cardross, with only one blemish on their card, battled all the way to a thrilling draw at the Lions’ Den on Saturday.
Cardy took charge early and led 17-12 at the first break.
The Saints battled back to hold a one-goal edge at the half and then increased that to five at the turn for home before the Lions rallied in the last quarter and salvaged two points in a 50-50 stalemate.
In a game of parry and thrust, the points should have been Bambill’s for the taking and they got stellar performances from shooter Tessa Houkamau, evergreen
defender Breigh Hammet and Ebony Roberts.
But there’s no quit in this Cardross side and shooters Tamara Hamence and Georgia Leutner came to the fore when it mattered most and Lily Thompson was also a prominent contributor throughout the game.
In the abbreviated round’s other game at Gol Gol, reigning premiers Nangiloc notched their first, keenly awaited win of the season with a 45-30 victory over the Hawks.
The Demons were always in command and, after improved displays the past few weeks, finally saluted and got their title defence back on track as they moved up to fifth and, remember, they did come from third last year to win the crown.
Nangy truly spoilt a party day out at Alcheringa as club mainstay Barb Budd was celebrating a massive game No. 250 in the gold and brown, and Kate Donaldson and Erin Taylor their respective 100ths.
Amber King again featured among the breakthrough winners’ best along with Shayna Saunders and Tamara Loveridge, while coach Ginine Sluiter got to enjoy her 101st game with an overdue win.
Maka Clarke, Abbey Curran and Ally Stanborough were the leading lights for the Hawks who, also with a 1-5 record, have slumped to the bottom of the table on goal difference but remain in the finals hunt on a tight ladder.
Round six will finally be completed on June 7 when Werrimull (3-2) and Meringur (2-3) clash at the Lake.
