Netball
15 April, 2025
Horsham Saints unleash on Tigers
A score of 100 from one team in a game of netball isn’t a common occurrence, but on Saturday, that’s exactly what happened in the match between Horsham Saints and Nhill.
Horsham piled on 101 goals in four quarters, to defeat Nhill, 38.
Lena Marshman shot 39 goals, with Abby Hallam and Jorja Clode each contributing 31.
Marshman was best on court, along with Megan Byrne, who played in Centre and Wing Attack.
Nhill was led by Shae-Lea Fischer in defence and Ruby James in goals.
The result caught coach of the Saints, Vernetta Taylor, by surprise.
"First round, you never know what to expect," she said.
"We did have expectations we put on ourselves as a team, and what we wanted to achieve and the girls executed that beautifully on Saturday.
"For a first round, I couldn't have asked for any more, it was extremely impressive."
Despite a lead of 42 goals heading into the final quarter, Taylor said they set a further goal as a team heading into the last 15 minutes of the game.
"We wanted to challenge and push ourselves," she explained.
"Pace is one of our strengths and it was a boost of confidence in that if we need to quickly score, we can do that.
"Credit to every player that took part on Saturday, because they were all focused and the result was beyond expectation."
Taylor was pleased with the player rotations on Saturday, and said although it's something the Saints haven't been known for in the past, it's something as a team, they have decided to call on more this season.
"The game Saturday cemented that that is the future, that it is the way to go," she said.
"To be able to outscore in our final half, ahead of our first half, was impressive."
Taylor acknowledged Marshman, in her first senior game ever.
"To be able to come into the game, in an A Grade side, and dominate in the goaling space, it's just amazing to have Lena come in as another goaling option," she said.
"We already have Jorja Clode, who is exceptional, and Abby Hallam, who is a past Hatcher medallist, and now we have brought Lena, who is only 15 years of age, into our team and she had an outstanding debut on Saturday."
