Netball
12 August, 2024
Swifts keep finals hopes alive in thriller
The Swifts A-grade netballers came back from a seven-goal deficit at three-quarter-time to defeat Edenhope Apsley by two goals at Edenhope Football Ground in round 17 of the Horsham District Football Netball League season.
Needing a good win to keep their finals hopes alive, it didn't start well, with the Swifts trailing by eight goals at quarter-time and then ten at half-time.
They slowly got back into the game in the third quarter, reducing the deficit to seven goals at the last break.
They kept the Saints to four goals in the last quarter, as they scored 13 themselves to run out 45 to 43 winners.
Michaela Armer scored 28 goals for the Swifts, with Edwina Flakemore being the best on the court in defence.
Lavinia Fox returned after being absent last week and scored 23 goals, with Tahlia Sailor and Patria Lees among their best.
The win keeps the Swifts finals hopes alive, albeit a slim one. With Kaniva Leeor on the bye, the Swifts must make up eight percent in the final round when they take on Natimuk United, with a massive win needed to get them into the finals.
Bombers dream for second still alive
Noradjuha Quantong has kept their dream of the second spot on the ladder and a double chance in the finals following a two-goal thrilling victory over Rupanyup at Quantong Recreation Reserve.
With Rupanyup a game ahead on the ladder, a win to the Panthers would have seen them seal the second spot, but at home, the Bombers knew what they needed to do, and in a tight first quarter, where only 15 goals were scored, they led by three goals at quarter-time.
The game remained close in the second quarter, with neither team giving an inch, as the Panthers clawed their way back to level the scores at half-time.
It was goal-for-goal again in the third, as neither team could break away, with scores all square heading into the last quarter.
It was hotly contested in that quarter, with the Bombers snatching a two-goal win, 38 to 36.
Shannon Couch scored 29 goals in the Bombers' win, and Brooke Pay and Holly Nuske were their best players in defence and centre, respectively.
Zanaiya Bergen scored 30 goals for the Panthers, with Victoria Taylor excellent in defence.
With only .78 of a percentage separating both sides, next week's matches will be crucial in deciding the second spot.
Bombers coach Fiona Rowe said it was a finals-like game and was thrilled with how the team played.
"It was a hotly contested, finals-like game with enormous pressure," Rowe said.
"Everyone on the team played well, especially with the support and encouragement from the court.
"We have been working on connectedness, which is growing weekly. That was one of the reasons we got over the line on Saturday."
"We will now shift our focus onto next week against Pimpinio. We know it won't be easy as they have some young up-and-coming stars in their team, but we know what we need to do to get the second spot on the ladder."
Tigers defeat Lakers in convincing fashion
Jayde Ellis and Lana Ellis combined well for Pimpinio, scoring 65 goals between them, as Pimpinio ran out 38 goal winners over Taylors Lake at Dock Lake Recreation Reserve.
The Tigers scored 23 goals in the first quarter to lead by 13 at quarter-time; another 17 goals to three in the second extended their lead to 28 points at the main break.
The Lakers outscored the Tigers in the third quarter to peg the margin back to 27 points, but the Tigers were too good, running out 70 to 32 winners.
Lana Ellis scored 33 goals, Jayde Elliis scored 32 for the Tigers, and Holly Ross was sensational down back.
Zoe Gray led the Lakers on the scoreboard, with Claire Longstaff and Lilly Weir being their best two players on the court.
Tigers coach Jayde Ellis said it was their best team game of the season.
"It was an amazing game. The girls put 100% effort into all four quarters, and I couldn't ask for more," Ellis said.
"It was absolutely our best team game, and all we have worked on has come to fruition. Our defenders had their hands over the ball, picking up intercepts and transitioning well on the turnover. It was a good game."
"I would have liked to have given the best player to everyone and can't pick a standout, but with that said, Lana had an amazing game and shot the lights out, and Annie Felini fed the ball really well and had great control in our attack end."
Kalkee defeat the spirited Cougars
Needing a win to secure a finals spot or a close loss to keep their percentage healthy, the Cougars came out of the blocks fast to lead Kalkee by two points at Kaniva Recreation Reserve.
The Cougars kept up the pressure in the second quarter to lead by one goal at the main break.
The Kees, as a credentialed premiership contender, came out fast after half-time, scoring 16 goals to take a nine-goal lead into the main break.
With the game getting away from them, the Cougars fought hard in the fourth, with the Kees winning by 15 goals, 60 to 45.
Lotus Martin scored 29 goals for the Kees with Clair McDonald and Penny Fisher excellent down back.
Blair Burke scored 26 goals for the Cougars, Nikki Hawker was excellent at goal attack with 19 goals, and Sinead Kuchel was excellent at wing attack.
Jones-Story seals league goal shooting award with 55 goals
If it wasn't wrapped up heading into this round, it certainly is now, with Caitlin Jones-Story winning the league goal-shooting for the year after shooting 55 goals in Laharum's win over Harrow Balmoral at Harrow Recreation Reserve.
The Demons stormed out of the blocks to lead by eight goals at quarter-time before extending that margin to 15 at half-time.
The Demons started the third quarter the way they finished, extending the lead to 22 goals at the final break before running out 76 to 37 goal winners.
Olivia Jones-Story was best on the court for Laharum, while Tori Dunstan scored 16 goals for the Southern Roos. Amber McLure and Jorja Jones were the best two players on the court.
Jones-Story now has a 115-goal lead over second-place Zanaiya Bergen in the league goal shooting.