Tigers edge Bulldogs in grindout battle

RED Cliffs’ A Grade netballers were ultimately able to claim a tightly fought battle against South Mildura at Quandong Park on Saturday in Sunraysia Football Netball League action.

Eventually the Tigers created a bit of breathing room late in the fourth quarter, but up until that point the lead hadn’t gone beyond six goals all game in the final 52 to 40 result.

While Red Cliffs were able to establish a small lead early and never gave it up, South likewise never let up on the pressure, and with high skill play on both sides, fate and conditions proved to be a decisive difference.

“It was a grinding game and we knew South were going to come bring it and they weren’t going to stop until the end,” said Tigers’ coach Romany Bowen.

“We also knew we just had to keep our netball level, which had peaks and troughs, but we were able to climb back to back to our level.”

The Tigers played a complete game with strong defence, solid ball movement up court and accuracy from their tall goal shooters Zara Copley and Jazmin Parker under the hoop.

Wings combo of Francis and Morna Naquto along with centres Jacqulyn Bell and Nina Ciszkowski were prominent in the battle for every ball, and when it got under the hoop Bowen said Copley and Parker’s pre-season work had paid off.

“The shooters were good, as was Jackie Bell through the centre, and my defence were just able to be patient and work on those little one percenters,” Bowen said.

“Accuracy is something those girls (Copley and Parker) have worked on, so kudos to them.

“We weren’t as accurate last year so it’s something we had to identify, and those girls have just gone away and worked hard on it.

“They are reaping the rewards halfway through season.”

Down the other end, young Bulldog shooter talent Emma Mottram was unflappable.

Whether she was draining three-metre shots on a swaying ring with nothing but net, missing a sitter, or battling with physicality, she was unreadable in her emotion.

“It’s amazing,” said South Mildura’s playing coach Tara Bate. “She doesn’t let anything phase her.

“Along with her goal attack (Macey Andriske) they are both my young players and they just work so well together and each week they come out and are like ‘what do you want me to do?’ and they give it. The absolutely give it.

“Nothing stresses them out, nothing worries them.”

Mottram and Andriske’s effort in the attacking arch, combined with the fight and support of their teammates drew praise from Bate.

“The girls played a really good game,” she said. “We had to make some last minute changes because of injuries that happened, but the girls played an absolute ripper.

“They played for each other and played a nice consistent game, something we’ve been trying to strive for the whole season.”

With the gusty wind having a role in the outcome, both coaches acknowledged a small amount of lady luck’s hand in the game.

“The girls put me under that much stress with those lob passes,” Bowen said.

“It’s a bit of both, but it’s more skill.

“In this it was a bit of luck it dropped where we needed it to drop, but on a nice day their skills are just amazing and those passes in from the midcourt to the shooters are just lovely.”

Bate agreed that it can go beyond good fortune.

“We all hope that we’re going to have a lucky day,” she said.

“The girls work hard, but unfortunately fatigue kicks in and you make some silly choices but it’s what you do after that and the girls showed that we want this and we’re determined to get it.”

The result keeps the Bulldogs in the bottom of the A Grade table, while the Tigers sit one spot outside the top four on percentage.

Next weekend South welcome a resurgent Robinvale Euston to MSP, while Red Cliffs make the drive down the Calder to take on a rested Ouyen United squad coming off the bye.