Match reports from the 1st and 2nd Semi netball finals for the Bendigo FL.17/U SECOND SEMI FINAL
SANDHURST V KANGAROO FLAT
1st Quarter 8 v 6
Half time 16 v 16
3rd Quarter 26 v 28
Final score 32 v 35
Kangaroo Flat’s young Roos caused the upset of the season with a three goal win over the undefeated Sandhurst. Hurst defender Chloe Watson was a consistent performer along with goaler, Gabriella Greene but the Hurst’s poor passing was an unwelcome feature of the game. A highlight of the match was the drive and determination of Flat’s Georgie Hyett and Ella Savy. Their attack on the ball was hard to beat. Ellie Fitch in goals was once again on target outscoring the opposition in all but the first quarter. Kangaroo Flat will now a week’s break in preparation for the grand final.
B GRADE SECOND SEMI FINAL
SANDHURST V KANGAROO FLAT
1st Quarter 7 v 8
Half time 14 v 18
3rd Quarter 26 v 22
Final Score 34 v 30
It took until midway through the third quarter before Sandhurst could stake a claim on this match. Kangaroo Flat’s centre Millie Hipwell provided good drives through the mid court where the ever reliable Kris Fitzpatrick was a consistent performer in the goal circle. Sandhurst’s Ellie McGrath and Jess Verbeek tightened their defensive play cutting off passes into the goal circle and taking rebounds. A five goal streak by the Hurst through the confident play of Karen Dealy and Olivia Gedye in goals gave the Dragons the upper hand. Sandhurst held a four goal lead going into the final quarter and though Kangaroo Flat was relentless, the Hurst continued to play steady netball to win through to the grand final.
A RESERVE – FIRST SEMI FINAL
GOLDEN SQUARE V EAGLEHAWK
1st Quarter 11 v 11
Half time 21 v 21
3rd Quarter 32 v 34
4th Quarter 40 v 50
A hotly contested first half had the score seesawing regularly with neither team able to gain the ascendency. Both teams’ goal shooters had a distinct height advantage over their opponents which they put to good use. Eaglehawk displayed a greater intensity in the third quarter providing greater pressure in the mid court. The Hawks’ wing attack Belina Connor kept the ball in play on the edge of the goal line with a flick pass to goal shooter Bec Smith who scored for a five goal lead. Conversely a poor pass by Connor a minute later was intercepted by Square’s goal attack Karly Scanlon on the transverse line and Square was back within three goals. A long bomb by Square’s goal shooter Louise Dupuy ten seconds before the three quarter time whistle ended in only a two goal deficit for Square at the final break.
Both teams and supporters were exuberant but turnovers proved costly for both teams but more so for Square who still trailed by two goals. Once Eaglehawk scored two consecutive goals they got a sniff of a win and surged ahead to win by 10 goals.
A GRADE – FIRST SEMI FINAL
GISBORNE V GOLDEN SQUARE
1st Quarter 8 v 13
Half time 16 v 24
3rd Quarter 24 v 36
4th Quarter 36 v 44
Golden Square’s chances of repeating its 2008 premiership success increased with an emphatic win over Gisborne last Saturday night. Golden Square’s goaling duo, Jody Richards and Lucy Spalding, combined well early to surge to a six goal lead before Gisborne posted a score on the board. Erica Schippers and Tara O’Toole played close checking netball forcing Gisborne to make constant use of its wing attack and centre to gain any advantage into the goal circle.
In the second quarter Gisborne made minor changes to its line up but a long pass by Schippers in the centre area to a running Spalding into the goal circle resulted in an easy goal and Golden Square extended its lead to seven.
Gisborne’s centre Tiana Newman took a flying intercept deep into Golden Square’s attacking pocket and her team mates rewarded her with a goal. Two missed shots at goal by Spalding and Richards resulted in a great passage of play down the court by Gisborne with Simone Neal-Trevallin goaling to narrow the margin. Gisborne capitalised on its centre pass with a goal to Bethany Medica and the margin was reduced to four.
Golden Square steadied its play and with all seven players contributing Square once again pushed the score out to 16 – 24 at the half time break.
Minor changes were made by both teams with Marnie Hullin replacing Lia Marrone at wing attack and Gisborne’s Virginia Bennett returning to wing defence. Injuries became a prominent feature over the next five minutes when Square’s Jessica Geary’s commando style roll through the mid court area required medical attention court side. A minute later an ankle injury to Medica forced her to the bench replaced by Shelley Farrugia. Thirty seconds later Hullin injured her knee on a beautiful Newman intercept. Hullin was carried from the court requiring Geary to rejoin play.
A Spalding long shot at goal spun twice around the ring before slotting through the net was a highlight. Golden Square’s height advantage in key positions and its ability to move the ball quickly and efficiently out of defence gave it the edge. By three quarter time Golden Square had extended its lead to 12 goals.
Medica returned to the goal shooting circle for the final quarter and she shot some very nice goals but Gisborne’s scoring opportunities were insufficient to put a dint into Square’s lead. Golden Square secured a preliminary final berth with its eight goal victory over Gisborne.
SUNDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2009
17/U FIRST SEMI FINAL
GOLDEN SQUARE V EAGLEHAWK
1st Quarter 9 v 10
Half time 16 v 18
3rd Quarter 33 v 25
Final score 43 v 39
Eaglehawk continued its hot form from the previous week’s elimination final with Amy Jackman and Ellen McRae combining in the defensive circle restricting Golden Square’s scoring opportunities. Charmaine Sutton-Boyd and Shelby Thatcher were consistent in the shooting arena and at one stage in the second quarter the Hawks led by five goals. At half time Golden Square moved goal attack Jacqueline Dupuy into her regular position of goal defence and Carly Geary from centre into goal attack. The changes paid dividends with goal shooter Megan Baird finding terrific form. The score difference blew out to ten goals early in the fourth quarter but Eaglehawk managed to get back into the game to reduce the margin to four at the final siren.
B GRADE FIRST SEMI FINAL
EAGLEHAWK V STRATHFIELDSAYE
1st Quarter 10 v 8
Half time 16 v 14
3rd Quarter 21 v 24
Final Score 25 v 32
Eaglehawk shot out of the blocks early showing great promise with centre Alex Gadsden steady all match and Rachel McEvoy creating a contest at wing defence. Minor changes were made to both teams at the long break but it was Strathfieldsaye that was first to adjust. Veteran Linda Dickens moved to wing attack creating greater spatial play. Alyce Huggard made a first appearance on court and had an immediate impact teaming with Kristy Farrell in the goal circle outscoring the Hawks ten goals to five in the third term. With momentum on its side, Strathfieldsaye continued to score well for a preliminary final berth against Kangaroo Flat.
A RESERVE – SECOND SEMI FINAL
SANDHURST V KANGAROO FLAT
1st Quarter 11 v 13
Half time 24 v 17
3rd Quarter 30 v 29
4th Quarter 38 v 33
The second semi final against Kangaroo Flat was Sandhurst’s toughest encounter to date. The undefeated Dragons were made accountable for each move and pass they made. The experienced Briona Giddings was a consistent performer in the goal circle. Her tussle with Kirsty Harvey was a showpiece of the match. The Hurst’s Georgia Tatnall in goal defence nullified her opponent’s effect on the game and received a new opponent for the second half. The Flat’s Nerida Hyett in goal attack assisted veteran Nina Cass in reducing the margin back to two goals and at the third quarter break only one goal separated the two teams. For much of the final quarter Sandhurst managed to maintain a two goal lead until the ball bounced off Cass’ foot and was picked up by goal keeper Nicole Fitzgerald. The Hurst scored from that intercept and put a couple more goals on the board to win by five goals.
A GRADE – SECOND SEMI FINAL
SANDHURST V KANGAROO FLAT
1st Quarter 5 v 7
Half time 13 v 16
3rd Quarter 18 v 29
4th Quarter 26 v 33
Kangaroo Flat held all the answers in its win against Sandhurst in the second semi final on Sunday afternoon. The match started with great fervour with neither team giving an inch. Sandhurst’s Ashleigh Cole and Danielle Wilson combined beautifully in the defensive circle feeding off each other on Kangaroo Flat’s rebounds. Meaghan Atkins and Lauren Cowling both worked tirelessly in the mid court trying to gain an advantage. Late in the quarter Kangaroo Flat’s Brooke Emmerson found form in the goal circle and Kangaroo Flat held a two goal lead at the first break.
Sandhurst’s poor passing in the second quarter resulted in loose balls which Kangaroo Flat picked up and made good use of. Kangaroo Flat were well on its way to further extend its lead for half time when Wilson took a timely intercept in the defensive circle on the siren.
Kangaroo Flat blew the score out to nine goals before Sandhurst could respond on the score board. The Flat’s defensive combination of Alicia McGlashen and Simone Andrews created a strong defensive wall that Sandhurst found too hard to penetrate. Sandhurst’s poor passing continued courtesy of the pressure applied by Kangaroo Flat all over the court.
While the Sandhurst defence continued its healthy form it could do little to ruffle the feathers of Emmerson and Samantha Hommelhoff as they continued to shoot from anywhere in the goal circle with favourable results. Kangaroo Flat will now play in the BFNL grand final while Sandhurst must contest with Golden Square for the honour of a grand final berth.
By Kylie Ellis
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