Netball
30 June, 2024
Tigers celebrate Lana Ellis's 150th in style
A brilliant second quarter set Pimpinio up to defeat the Swifts at North Park in round eleven of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
The Tigers were strong early, taking a six-point lead into quarter-time, 12-6. A 17-to-8-goal quarter saw them extend the margin to 15 goals at half-time.
On their home court, the Baggies weren't going down without a fight, scoring 12 goals to six to reduce the deficit to nine goals at three-quarter-time.
With the Baggies full of charge, the young Tigers held firm, running the game out to win by four goals, 44-40.
Rising star Ada Binney scored 25 goals for the Tigers at goal-attack, with Lana Ellis chipping in with 18 in her 150th match as goal-shooter. Holly Ross was sensational as goal-keeper, keeping Rebbekkah Seeary in check and combining well with Steph Runciman, who played well on Michaela Armer.
Seeary scored 23 goals, with Michaela Armer chipping in with 16. Lisa Monaghan, in midcourt, was a solid contributor for the Baggies.
Tigers coach Jayde Ellis was thrilled with the second quarter.
"We had a massive quarter, and we put our feet down. Everyone played amazingly," Ellis said.
"It was awesome for us to take that lead into the second half, and everyone just gelled together, and the game seemed to flow well for us."
"They had a much stronger second half, chipping away and came right back at us at the end and got to within three goals, and we were getting a bit nervous, but credit to the girls they composed themselves, remained calm, and that was good to see."
Ellis said that Lana's 150th game pumped the girls up.
"Everyone was excited as a team and a club, as it is an amazing achievement," Ellis said.
"Everyone was super pumped heading into the game, knowing what she was achieving. She brought that energy into the game and helped us - it was awesome."
"She played a good game, and Ada Binney also shot well, so it was also good to see Ada performing well in a grade as a junior."
Ellis also praised the defenders in Holly Ross and Steph Runciman.
"They both kept their opponents in check and did well in the first half and stood tall when it mattered in the second half," Ellis said.
"Anna Felini controlled the ball well with Emily Hannan through the midcourt and helped set up our attack. Everyone played well. It was a great team performance."
The win was the Tigers' second for the season, which moves them to eighth on the ladder on equal wins with Taylors Lake and Natimuk in ninth and tenth.