Netball
23 June, 2024
Saints remain unbeaten after tough contest
The Horsham Saints remain unbeaten in the Wimmera Football Netball League following a tough 12-goal win against Nhill at Davis Park in round nine on Saturday. In the other two matches, Dimboola and Horsham both secured great wins.
The Saints, missing Jorja Clode from their starting seven, got off to a good start, leading by eight goals at quarter-time before extending the margin to 10 points at half-time.
The Tigers battled hard in the third quarter, but the Saints stood tall and led by 11 points at the last break.
Again, in the last quarter, the Tigers took it to the Saints, but the Saints ran out the game to win 59-47.
Abby Hallam was brilliant in goals, shooting 35, whilst Taya Quick stood up in Clyde's absence to score 24.
Nhill's best players were Ruby James and Claudia McRae, who scored 28 and 19 goals, respectively.
Saints coach Jess Cannane said they got a lot out of the match.
"To Nhill's credit, they pushed us through their defensive pressure, and their goalies were accurate too, so they played a really good game, and we were lucky enough to win," Cannane said.
"We pride ourselves on the short fast game, and it was good for our attacking end to play controlled netball. Ash Grace and Megan Byrne stepped up to control the pace, which was pleasing, especially with the new combination in goal due to Jorja's absence."
In Clode's absence, it provided Taya Quick a chance to play a full game, and the youngster took it with both hands and shot 24 goals against a good defender in Larnie Hobbs.
"Taya has played a couple of quarters over the last few weeks, and it was good to see her step up and handle it, especially against a tough opponent," Cannane said.
"I was impressed at how she went about it and still shot goals under immense pressure.
Roos bounce back in a tough win over the Burras
29 goals from Nicole Polycarpou has led Dimboola to a tough 12-point victory over Minyip Murtoa at Dimboola Recreation Reserve.
The game was tight early, with the Roos taking a slender five-goal lead into quarter-time and only a two-goal advantage into the main break.
In the third quarter, the Roos started to get on top, scoring 16 goals to 12 to lead by six points at three-quarter-time.
The Roos continued their momentum in the last to run out 54-42 winners.
Paige Glover and Stephanie Glover were the Roos' best players, through the centre and defence, respectively.
For the Burras, Claudia Griffiths and Tamika Mentha swapped positions at quarter-time. The latter was brilliant at wing defence and was great through the centre.
Demons too good for Thunder
Following a great win last week against Stawell, the Thunder travelled to Horsham City Oval to take on Horsham.
The Demons showed why they are one of the challengers for the premiership, storming to a 13-point lead at half-time after leading by six at quarter-time.
They extended the margin to 19 points at three-quarter-time before running the game out, shooting 22 goals in the last quarter to 11 to win 71-41.