Nyah nearly gets there
Nyah Nyah West United defeated by Tooleybuc Manangatang, 42 v 45.
IT was a weekend of pretty close matches as the Central Murray League celebrated the Indigenous round.
And home side Nyah Nyah West United put up one of their best efforts yet – despite a three goal loss against Tooleybuc Manangatang.
United got off to a strong start with 11 goals to TM’s seven, and continued their lead in the second quarter with both sides shooting 13.
While United led by four at half time, TM started closing the difference in the third quarter, outscoring the home team’s eight with 11 goals.
They were still behind a goal with fifteen minutes to go, but came home strong with 14 goals to seal the win.
While these teams are around the bottom of the ladder, there was still a heap of skilled gameplay – a testament to the quality of the league.
United’s WA Shania Decker played well as always as did Madison Jones in C – showing off her endurance.
The pair fed the goal ring exceptionally with GS Madison Curran shooting 20, while Denise Snyder in GA shot 22.
TM’s playing coach Zoe Morris said it was “a very backwards and forwards game” but was still happy with the win.
“Nyah led for most of the game and we fought back in the last quarter to get a great win,” Morris said.
“Carlee Hazlett came into GA and worked hard playing a great game.
“Millie Holland came on into WA and combined well with Ruby Mazzarella in the centre,” she said.
Peyton Oliver and Leonie Kentish put up a great defensive performance – getting lots of turnovers when TM needed it most.
Hazlett was another standout – and she fed GS Morris super well.
Morris shot 34, while Hazlett managed seven and Kelissa O’Shannassy shot four while she was in the ring.
Next week TM will be challenged as they face Balranald, while United will play the Cohuna Kangas who are just above them on the ladder.
Balranald’s back to winning
Balranald v Tyntynder, 52 v 41
ANOTHER win for Balranald, after their first loss last week, is sure to put a smile on the Roos’ faces.
But Tyntynder did not make it easy for them – with a particularly strong finish from the visiting side.
The Roos jumped off in the first quarter shooting 13 and keeping Tyntynder to seven.
They then continued this lead into the second with 16 goals to 10.
While they had established a strong lead at half time – 29 v 17 – it didn’t dampen the Bulldogs’ fire.
They were one goal off matching Balranald’s 12 goals in the third, and they won the final quarter by two goals.
At the end of the day, the home side still managed an 11 goal defeat which will have buoyed their mood following last week’s defeat at the hands of the Mallee Eagles.
WA and C Laura Anderson was again a persistent and determined asset to the visiting side, helping get the ball into her goalies GS Kelsey Rowe who shot 25, and Sophie Triplett who scored 16.
For the victors, Ella Mirtschin was in GS all day – giving Madison Jess a bit of a run in WA.
Versatile Mirtschin shot a stunning 28 while playing coach Jess Parry was also strong shooting 24.
Best on was GD Stevie Bibby who is always a force to reckoned with and this weekend was no exception.
Next week top-of-the-ladder Balranald will be on the road again as they travel to face Tooleybuc Manangatang, and Tyntynder will be up against a thriving Swan Hill who are only improving as the season goes on – in what is sure to be a tough match.
Swans glide home to victory
Swan Hill defeated Mallee Eagles, 53 v 49
SWAN Hill have risen to third on the ladder after a particularly strong match up with the previously undefeated Mallee Eagles.
In support of NAIDOC Round, the SHFNC featured a moving Welcome to Country from Steph Charles doing the Welcome to Country tomorrow before the senior match and the players were clearly inspired.
Fresh off an impressive victory over the Woorinen Tigers, the Swans were on fire – clearly the side is gelling and utilising the young blood as well as the more experienced players to their advantage.
A strong defensive game from the Swans enabled them to keep control of the notoriously strong Eagles’ goalies – making the most of the few opportunities that slipped through.
But that is where these high calibre matches are won – in perfecting skills and capitalising upon an intercept or a dropped ball.
For the Eagles GA Emelia Bett was best on. She is always an asset against tough defence making heaps of opportunities to get the ball through to the very accurate GS Kellie Walker.
Bett played alongside the Swans’ GD Alivia Andrews who also had an impressive match, keeping keen control over the goal ring.
Year 10 netball and basketball prodigy GS Arlee Bennett seems set to be a star for the Swans and has really shone in her last few matches with the seniors, and was again one of the best for the winning team.
Next week the Swans will be up against Tyntynder while the Eagles will play Koondrook/Barham, with the top teams again sure to perform well.
Woorinen get a scare
Koondrook/Barham v Woorinen, 46 v 52
A STRONG Koondrook/Barham side brought their best match skills to this weekend’s battle against the Woorinen Tigers.
And although KB lost in the final quarter they certainly gave the Tigers a scare! After an 11 v 18 first quarter win for the Tigers, KB had a spectacular second quarter run.
They shot 15 while they kept Woorinen to four leaving the score at 26 v 22 at half time.
But after that slight interruption to the yellow and black gameplay they were back on track shooting 14 goals to KB’s 11 in the third to be one goal down with fifteen minutes to go.
They then sprinted home with 16 goals to KB’s nine, for a six goal victory, but a closer one than they may have expected.
KB played their guts out with some stunning performances across the court from all players.
Tlarnee Lake in GA is always strong, and the defensive end players – WD Kiama Birrer, Rebecca Hollingworth in WD and GD, GD Lily Den Houting and GK Kate Callow – put in an exceptional effort.
The Tigers’ line up was slightly different to the typical court structure, with powerful Tessa Demaria out of GD and into C, while Rachel McLaughlin, who typically plays GK was out of action.
Jaclyn Rivett and Jana Beasy did well to fill their shoes but the Tigers’ game was not as second-nature as it has seemed other weeks.
Next week the 2019 premiers will face an impressive Kerang side who are just below them on the ladder in what will be a must-see match, while Koondrook/Barham will be challenged by the Mallee Eagles – but judging by this weekend’s performance they may still put up quite the fight.
Another strong Boga performance
Lake Boga defeated Cohuna Kangas, 62 v 43
PERFECT conditions set the scene for this impressive match as the Cohuna Kangas looked to score their first win for the season.
But Lake Boga’s netball coordinator Chris Warne said her side had other ideas as they aim for a top five finish to the season.
“Both teams started strongly at a fast pace with goals flowing and Boga taking a four goal lead after the first 15 minutes,” Warne said.
“Sarah Hepburn (GS) for Boga was kept busy shooting 13 for the term as the Kangas were kept to 7 for the second quarter to lead by 14 at half time.
“Kobie Free (GA/GS) for Kangas was moved back into the ring for the third quarter in goals which settled the team as she scored eight and 12 in the second half.”
Free, with 31 goals, was best on for the Kangas, alongside a standout performance from Holly Mcgraw in C.
Keely Wilson also shot eight while Dannielle Sawyer shot four.
The Kangas were good but no one could compete with the perfect lobs Boga’s midcourt were delivering into the goal ring.
Boga’s Anna Archie played a stunning match in C providing plenty of opportunities across the court – feeding the ball to GS Sarah Hepburn who shot 45.
Katie Hepburn and Chloe Taylor alternated between GA and WA and shot 11 and six respectively.
Boga’s WD Lauren Pumpa was also superb in the defensive end.
But it was a team effort and Boga’s consistency throughout the four quarters helped secure the four points in a 19 goal margin at the final siren.
Next week Boga will have a well deserved break with their bye, while Cohuna will play Nyah Nyah West United – and they’ll be hopeful for a win.
