Netball Preliminary Final reports for the Bendigo Football League.17/U – SANDHURST V GOLDEN SQUARE
1st Quarter 8 v 8
Half time 19 v 15
3rd Quarter 30 v 19
Final score 44 v 24
Sandhurst regained its home and away season form marching into the grand final after an emphatic win over Golden Square. Sandhurst goal attack Abby Gilmore positioned well in the goal circle displaying accuracy with her shots at goal. The Hurst’s Chloe Watson combined superbly with fellow defender Lilly Walsh to cut off many of Square’s aerial attempts into goals. Square made changes to its line up late in the second quarter when Emily Walsh retired injured. Stephanie Cleary displayed promise in the goal circle early but her opponent’s height posed a threat. In an attempt to salvage the game Carly Geary returned to goal attack and Cleary to centre but Sandhurst continued its good form to finish the game convincing winners.
B GRADE – KANGAROO FLAT V STRATHFIELDSAYE
1st Quarter 13 v 6
Half time 19 v 14
3rd Quarter 27 v 22
Final Score 42 v 27
Strathfieldsaye had plenty of opportunities in and around the goal circle to be a force in this game but could not convert sufficiently in the goal circle. At quarter time Flat held an enviable seven goal lead. The Storm changed its attacking line up bringing Alyce Huggard on into goals and on the score board it was an even contest. Flat made good use of the bench replacing Cassie Spears, who from an accidental elbow was sporting a shiner Rocky Balboa would have been proud of. Better players for Kangaroo Flat was Lauren McEwan at wing attack and the defender Chantal O’Brien as Kangaroo Flat dominated the final quarter to run out 15 goal victors.
A RESERVE – KANGAROO FLAT V EAGLEHAWK
1st Quarter 12 v 13
Half time 28 v 20
3rd Quarter 40 v 26
4th Quarter 53 v 32
It was an evenly contested affair in the first quarter with Eaglehawk looking ripe for a win. Bec Smith provided a focal point in goals and the Hawks held the slimmest of margins at the first break. Midway through the second quarter Kangaroo Flat gained a two goal advantage and then surged to an eight goal lead at half time when it scored six unanswered goals.
Nerida Hyett replaced Charlene Mackenzie in goal attack and together with Nina Cass they had a distinct height advantage in Flat’s goal circle. As much as Bridget McDougall and Ellie Findlay tried it was too difficult for them to intercept let alone rebound any of Flat’s missed shots at goal. Kirstie Harvey was strong on the first line of defence making it difficult for Eaglehawk to get decent flow into its game. With momentum on its side Kangaroo Flat continued its consistent performance to win convincingly.
A GRADE – SANDHURST V GOLDEN SQUARE
1st Quarter 12 v 9
Half time 21 v 19
3rd Quarter 25 v 33
4th Quarter 38 v 40
Golden Square will defend its premiership title after defeating Sandhurst by two goals in Saturday night’s preliminary final.
Golden Square’s Lucy Spalding scored the first two goals of the match before Sandhurst’s Claire Gibbs scored on a penalty shot. A long pass into goals put Gibbs under pressure to keep the ball in play as she balanced on the goal line. She did so passing the ball off to the advantage of team mate Maddison Exell who scored successive goals to level the score. The strong winds that had been prevalent earlier in the day receded and play was uncongested with Sandhurst showing early signs of good form.
The second quarter was a very even contest. Coach Lia Marrone’s fast paced drives ensured numerous possessions as she set up many of Square’s attacking plays. Though Square was able to reduce the margin to two goals Sandhurst continued to respond. When all four players in Golden Square’s goal circle contested an aerial pass which resulted in the ball hitting the net then floundering at the bottom of the goal post, it was the Hurst’s Danielle Wilson who was the first to regain her composure and take possession. A long pass to Ashleigh Cole in the mid court forced her to run onto the ball for possession. Sandhurst scored to take a four goal lead. Golden Square then enjoyed a passage of play through Erica Schippers and Jessica Geary that resembled a training drill. The result was a goal to Jody Richards which was quickly backed up by Spalding and again Square was back within two goals.
Scoring three successive goals on the return from the half time break put Golden Square in front for the first time since the opening minute of the match. The Hurst’s Brianna Dalrymple-Monro in centre provided good drives onto the goal circle coming under the Geary radar but a poor throw out of goals from Gibbs resulted in a turnover.
Neither team could manage to gain an advantage until Spalding snatched a rebound to ensure a two goal buffer. Square scored consecutive goals after a low bounce pass into the Sandhurst goals was intercepted by Schippers. The ball reached the top of Golden Square’s goal circle when Spalding called injury time. With three minutes remaining Spalding returned to the court and with Cole out of play, the blue and gold scored to take a four goal lead. Spalding and Cole clashed again contesting the ball with Square receiving a penalty pass. Cole quickly moved into the goal circle but with Richards on song shooting from all areas of the goal circle, Square strengthened its lead to be eight goals in front at the final break.
With its season on the line Sandhurst played with renewed vigour scoring three goals in a row to reduce the margin to five goals. Wilson moved to goal defence providing a new dimension in the mid court taking some mid air intercepts. Sandhurst was reducing Golden Square’s lead but the damage had already been done in the third quarter when the blue and gold’s one percenters paid dividends.
By Kylie Ellis
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|