Sport
25 April, 2023
Roos claim thriller in season opener
DIMBOOLA A Grade netballers celebrated an opening round win in Wimmera netball when they hosted Nhill on Saturday. Nhill returned to A Grade competition and enjoyed a strong comeback when they matched the Roos throughout most of the match before...
DIMBOOLA A Grade netballers celebrated an opening round win in Wimmera netball when they hosted Nhill on Saturday.
Nhill returned to A Grade competition and enjoyed a strong comeback when they matched the Roos throughout most of the match before falling short by three goals at the final whistle, 35-32.
In wet conditions, Dimboola set up an early lead in the opening quarter, 13-9, as players from both sides settled back into competition before continuing the battle in the second term.
Nhill reduced the deficit to three goals at half time with some strong play through the midcourt and strong shooting from Sydney Thorogood who won telling possessions in the goal ring.
The match continued its closeness in the third term as neither side could make a break and it was the Roos who slightly extended its lead by one goal when they added nine goals to eight and took a 29-25 lead into the final term.
With the match up for grabs, Dimboola’s defence was tested with Holly Ross providing a springboard into attack with a big game in defence and helped set up shooters Olivia Jorgensen and Billie Barber as the Roos worked tireless to maintain their lead.
Nhill kept coming to the final whistle but the Roos were not going to be denied their opening win and shot a vital six goals which was enough as the Roos defence held the Tigers to seven goals for the term and a resultant three-goal win.
Jorgensen finished with 25 goals, while Thorogood converted 18 for the Tigers.
Reigning premier Horsham Saints flexed their muscle early in the season when they dominated a clash with Warrack Eagles.
A swift moving Saints line-up brushed off any cobwebs early and moved the ball well through the court with centre general Ashlee Grace producing a big game to set up scoring chances, teaming with returning defender Erin Mellington who was strong in her first game back.
The Saints led by 20 goals at half time before extending to 22 at three quarter time and finished full of running to claim a dominant 79-32 goal victory, shooting 20 goals to five in the final term.
Jorja Clode finished with an impressive 52 goals as Warrack Eagles worked hard to set up scoring chances through sisters Leiah and Briodi McKenzie, with Briodi topping her game with 18 goals.
Horsham has started their season in winning form with a powerful 59-26 goal victory over Minyip-Murtoa at Minyip.
Leading 24-17 at half time, the Demons put the foot down in the third term to shoot 15 goals and held the Burras to just two goals before shooting a further 20 goals in the final term to complete its dominant display.
Shooting recruit Georgia Batson enjoyed a strong day in the goal ring to finish with 37 goals in her first game with the Demons, finishing off the work of wing defence Keely Pope and centre Georgie Carberry.
For the Burras, Molly Fagan and Lucy Brand teamed well to set up scoring chances.
The final game of the round saw Stawell and Southern Mallee Giants produce the closest result of the day with the Warriors claiming a 32-29 goal victory on their home court at Central Park.
In more wet conditions, the Warriors finished over the top of the Giants in the second half after just one goal separated the teams at quarter and half time in the Giants favour, 10-9 and 19-18.
A big third term saw the home team move ahead by six goals at three quarter time courtesy of a dominant 11-4 run which ultimately set up victory in the final term.
And it was a tight affair as the Giants worked hard in the difficult conditions to reduce the deficit and despite outscoring the Warriors six goals to three, fell short by three at siren’s end.
Warriors defender Lisa Fleming worked overtime to limit the Giants’ scoring power and enjoyed a good duel with Steph Thomson who finished with 20 goals for the Giants.