Netball
27 May, 2024
Burras fly to third consecutive win
Minyip Murtoa won their third consecutive match, defeating Ararat by 12 points at Alexandra Oval in round six of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
The Burras scored 15 goals in the first quarter to take a four-point lead into quarter time. They shot another 16 in the second to extend the margin to 10 at halftime.
They came out in the third quarter the way they finished the second and extended the margin to 12 at three-quarter time before running out 55-43 winners.
Johanna Griffiths and Lauren Dodgshun were standouts in defence for the Burras with Claire Mackay and Kirby Knight shooting 28 and 27 goals respectively.
For the Rats, Monique Scott and Jesse Bligh were their best with Laney McLoughlan shooting 24 goals.
It wasn't all easy going for the Burras as the Rats took it up to them and they lost Matilda
Griffiths to injury early in the game.
Burras coach Kirby Knight said she was pleased they could fight out a hard win.
"It was closer than what the scoreboard reflected as it was a hard-fought match," Knight said.
"We competed most of the game with seven players and the girls did well to keep momentum. Everyone was running out of steam considering we couldn't make too many changes and did well to run out the game."
What stood out in the victory was that the Burras had to shuffle things around with Lauren
Dodgshun moving to goal defence from goalkeeper and Johanna Griffiths moving from wing defence to goal defence.
"They played four quarters of consistent pressure and were quite physical, not only down back but also getting the ball downcourt," Knight said.
"All of our three midcourters did a good job also. They played in positions they haven't played much and did well.
"It's a good thing we are so versatile and can play anyone in a different position and know they can perform."
Roos move a game clear in third
At Rainbow Recreation Reserve, Dimboola had a thrilling four-goal win over the Southern Mallee Thunder.
The Roos took a four-goal lead into quarter time with the Thunder bouncing back in the second quarter to level the scores 26 apiece at halftime.
The game was close in the third quarter with the Roos moving to a four-goal lead at three-quarter time before holding that margin in the last to win 55-51.
Nicole Polycarpou was a standout up forward again with 39 goals with Maddison Marra great through the centre.
For the Thunder, Steph Thompson shot 36 goals with Abby White tremendous down back again.
Thunder coach Steph Thompson highlighted Cody Robins and Rylee Cocks.
"Code Robins was very quick and always an option and her attacking drive was good at wing attack," Thompson said.
"Rylee Cocks played a great game through the centre. We were able to bring on Nekeisha Bastin at times to give her a rest, but she ran the majority of the game through there and played well."
Despite the loss, Thomson said they were pleased with their competitiveness.
"We know Dimboola will be challenging this year, and even though a win would have been good, to be competitive against them and push them as far as we did, the girls were all pretty happy," Thomson said.
"We made a few little errors but we will continue to work on those things and get better."
Tigers keep pressing forward
At Anzac Park, Nhill moved a game clear in fifth position, with a 10-goal win over the Warrack Eagles.
The Eagles had a two-goal lead at quarter time, but the Tigers found their groove, leading by seven at halftime.
The Eagles provided resistance in the second half, but the Tigers were too strong running out 46-36 winners.
Jessica Wilkie and Courtney Hillier were the best for the Tigers at goal defence and wing attack respectively with Emma Beer shooting 21 goals.
Ava Koschitzke was a standout for the Eagles again in the centre with Sarah Marchment in attack scoring 17 goals.
Demons with another big win
Imogen Worthy and Georgia Batson led Horsham to a massive 35-goal win over Stawell at Horsham City Oval. Worthy scored 38 goals and Batson, 37, as they won 78-43.
Stawell brought the heat in the first quarter to trail by four points at quarter time. It was a high-scoring second quarter with the Demons scoring 20 goals and Stawell 13 as the Demons extended the margin to 11 goals at halftime.
The Demons were relentless in the second half, scoring 16 goals to 7 to take a 20-goal lead into three-quarter time before scoring another 24 goals in the last quarter.
For Stawell, Ebony Summers scored 17 goals alongside Madi Taylor.