Netball
3 June, 2024
Southern Roos A-grade netballers claim first win since 2022
Harrow Balmoral won their first game since August 6, 2022, with a four-goal, 43-39 win over Pimpinio at the Pimpinio Sporting Complex on Saturday, June 1. In their last win, against the Swifts, they won 43-34, the same points they scored against Pimpinio.
Building with confidence over the last few weeks, a win was just around the corner and they set themselves up in the first quarter with a three-goal lead at quarter time.
With teenagers Tara McIntyre and Tori Dunstan up forward, keeping their cool and collecting a lot of their rebounds, and the experience of Febey McClure through the centre and Emily Langley down back, they scored 13 goals to take a 7-goal lead into half time.
The Tigers brought the heat in the third quarter with Holly Ross, Lana Ellis, Jayde Ellis and Ada Binney, instrumental for them, but, the Southern Roos kept their cool as they took a four-goal lead into three-quarter time.
The Tigers kept up the pressure, but the Southern Roos responded with Tori Dunstan having a great quarter up forward.
Sophie Antonello and Amanda Russell were solid on wing defence and wing attack respectively, with Edwina Lees solid down back, as the Southern Roos defied the Tigers late charge to win their match.
Coach Emily Langley was ecstatic after the match.
"It's fantastic, it feels so good," an excited Langley said.
"It was such a good team and club win. For most of their girls, it was their first A-grade win ever and it's been a huge effort from the club to get us where we are today."
Starting the year, 0-6, some teams would make changes, but not the Southern Roos, with Langley keeping confidence in their young team.
"The girls have been working hard and it's all coming together," Langley said.
"They are getting more confident and becoming a team and you can't get that by making changes.
"Everyone is digging in and starting to come together as one."
When the Tigers were charging, Langley praised Febey McClure for her leadership.
"I tried not to look at the scoreboard and I knew it was close with the way the Tigers were talking, but Febey calmed things down for us when the pressure was there," Langley said.
"She told the girls to focus on their goals and we got there. Febey was a real workhorse today and her leadership and talk was second to none.
"Edwina Lees was really good as well and it was her last game before going to the USA, but everyone played a team game, and the whole team played well."
Tara McIntyre scored a game-high 25 goals in the win with Tori Dunstan chipping in with 18 and Langley praised them for their calm composure under pressure.
"For Tara McIntyre to back up from a full game of U17's and Tori Dunstan, both youngsters who kept their cool and got their rebounds, I was very proud of them," Langley said.
For McClure, the win was sweet, having been the only player to have played in their last win.
"It feels unreal to finally have a win. It was tough out there and after last season being tough without a win, everyone worked as a team to get there today," McClure said.
"I am the leader in the middle and had to step up today and use my voice and I think it helped in there."
For the Tigers, Lana Ellis scored 22 goals with Ada Binney chipping in with 14 whilst Holly Ross was their best player in defence.