Netball
19 August, 2024
Bombers secure second place, Rams end season on high
Noradjuha Quantong has sealed second place on the A-grade netball ladder in the Horsham District Football Netball League following a 32-goal win over Pimpinio at the Pimpinio Recreation Reserve in round 18.
With only a small percentage separating Rupanyup and Noradjuha Quantong, both teams needed big wins. The Bombers started out well, gaining a 10-goal lead at quarter-time, extending it to 15 at half-time, and limiting the Tigers to nine goals.
A brilliant third quarter saw them extend the lead to 20 goals before they stormed away in the last to win 54-22.
Shannon Couch was sensational, scoring 45 goals, while Brooke Pay and Jayne Tucker were excellent in defence and attack, respectively.
Ada Binney scored nine goals for the Tigers, with Holly Ross and Steph Runciman their best on the court.
Bombers coach Fiona Rowe said the team was focused on its game and didn't get updates from Rupanyup v Harrow Balmoral.
"When we hit the court, we were fully focused on that quarter," Rowe said.
"Our strategies and goals are being focused on the moment and doing the things we are in control of, and we can't worry about things we can't control. We must focus on putting our best game on the court and taking things from there."
Panthers miss out by .65%
At the Rupanyup Recreation Reserve, the Panthers started fast against Harrow Balmoral, gaining an eight-goal lead at quarter-time.
The Southern Roos landed their shots, with a margin of only 14 goals at half-time.
The Panthers came out firing in the third, scoring 18 goals to five to lead by 27 at the main break. They added another 18 goals in the final quarter, but the Southern Roos added 10, as the Panthers ran out 66-30 winners.
Zanaiya Bergen was brilliant for the Panthers, scoring 46 goals alongside Victoria Taylor in defense. Tara McIntyre shot 15 goals for the Southern Roos, with Febey McLure and Amber McClure their two best on the court at centre and wing attack, respectively.
Southern Roos finished last on the ladder, but coach Emily Langley sees a stepping stone for 2025.
"We made huge improvement during the year, and I don't believe our position on the ladder truly reflects how we played," Langley said.
"We had a lot of determination on the court, and hopefully, we can hold onto most of the girls and set ourselves up well for 2025.
"We saw in the Laharum game that we can compete and play good netball, so there is much to look forward to next season."
Rams close out the season with a brilliant win
Natimuk secured a thrilling three-goal win over the Swifts at North Park.
The Swifts needed to win by 61 points to make the finals, but Natimuk ruined their plans early, taking a one-goal lead into quarter-time.
It was goal-for-goal in the second, as Natimuk held that same lead at the main break. The third quarter was the same as the first two, with Natimuk again maintaining their one-goal lead at three-quarter time.
In the last, Natimuk played their game style to perfection, slowing the game down and making good decisions, and it reflected in their victory at the end of the game, winning 44-41.
Emma Uebergang scored 30 goals for the Rams, and Danielle Hanson shot 14. Emily Hateley was brilliant through the centre, linking up well with the defenders and attackers.
Michaela Armer shot 24 goals for the Swifts, and Edwina Flakemore was excellent in defense.
Rams coach Danielle Hanson said it was one of the cleanest games she has played in.
"They are a good side to play against, and we had all four seasons of conditions during the match, which suited us," Hanson said.
"There was the sun, there was wind, there was rain, and it was muggy at times, and we could compose ourselves a bit more and keep possession, take a breath, and play our game - a slow game.
"We knew what we had to do, and we didn't force it in or rush it, and they were trying to force it in more than we did, which helped us get away in the end."
"We have improved as a team throughout the year, and I am hoping the majority of the girls will stick around, and I hope they are all proud of how far they have come this year and how well they have played."
Demons thrash the Saints
In what Laharum coach Rebecca McIntyre described as a danger game before the match, it was anything but, with Laharum blowing Edenhope Apsley off the court at Cameron Oval.
They led by 16 at quarter-time, 27 at half-time, 39 at three-quarter-time before running out 75-20 winners.
Caitlin Jones-Story shot 41 goals, with Maddison Iredell chipping in with 34. Tahlia Sailor was the best for the Saints with 10 goals.
The win gives Laharum confidence should they face the Saints in the finals and sends a message to the rest of the competition that they are not slowing down after going through the year undefeated.
Kees head into finals off the back of a massive win
Kalkee enters the finals series on the back of a massive 43-goal win over Taylors Lakes at Kalkee Recreation Reserve.
The Lakers brought the heat early, but the quarter was low-scoring, and they trailed by only five goals at quarter-time.
The Kees were relentless in the second quarter, getting their game going. They shot 19 goals to four to lead by 20 goals at halftime.
They extended the margin to 27 at three-quarter-time before running out 62-19 winners.
Jenna Bywaters and Jarrah Martin both scored 25 and 22 goals, respectively, with Lotus Martin chipping in with 15. Clair McDonald and Molly Lakin were excellent in defence and the centre respectively.
Zoe Gray led the Lakers in scoring with seven goals, and Chloe Kelm and Isabelle Hedt were the team's two best on the court in defence.