LAKE BOGA v COHUNA
LAKE Boga have extended their winning streak to nine with an emphatic 26-goal win at home over the Cohuna Kangas at the weekend, with the Magpies moving a game clear on top of the Central Murray A grade ladder as a result.
The Magpies won every quarter on their way to claiming victory 62-36, with Lake Boga assistant coach Sheridan Harrop full of praise for her team’s ability to get the job done against another quality opponent.
“It was a great game for us, we were a little slow to start in the first quarter while getting a feel for our opponents and the game, but we’re still happy with how the match went,” Harrop said.
“We applied a lot of defensive pressure, which turned quite a few balls over and we were able to work through feeding into our goalies well.
“The whole team had their highlights yesterday, but our best players were Katie Carmichael, who moved and shot very well and added defensive pressure through the midcourt, and Jemma Meehan, who stepped into wing defence and owned it.”
While disappointed not to get the four points, Cohuna coach Georgia Anderson was still able to find plenty of positives for her developing side post-match.
“I was really happy with our start and the first half. We changed up our attack end and it’s given us new options,” Anderson said.
“We threw it away with too many silly errors which (Lake) Boga capitalised on and blew the score out.
“We used the game as an opportunity to try players in new positions in the second half so it wasn’t a waste, but it goes to show if we play like we did in the first half there’s no reason why we can’t narrow the score, because we look really good when we bring intensity.”
Cohuna defender Ebony Black celebrated her 18th birthday with best-on honours for the Kangas, with midcourter Skye Perry celebrating her 200th game in purple as another strong contributor.
FINAL WHISTLE
LAKE BOGA 62
COHUNA 36
WOORINEN v TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG
A 17-goal first quarter has helped Woorinen claim consecutive wins for the first time this season, with the Tigers recording a 16-goal win over an injury-hit Tooleybuc-Manangatang at the weekend.
The 57-41 win is Woorinen’s fourth of the season and sees them climb back into finals contention, with the Tigers now sitting just one game behind fifth-placed Cohuna on the A grade ladder.
It was a result that pleased Woorinen coach Tayla Bennett, with her young side starting full of running coming off a two-week break.
“It was a great game from everyone, especially coming off a two-week break. We just wanted to work on breaking down each quarter and work on meeting our targets,” Bennett said.
“Our juniors are stepping up to every challenge they are given and it’s amazing to see them developing each week.”
After claiming their first win of the season seven days earlier, Saturday’s game loomed as a danger match for Woorinen, although the Saints’ potential to cause an upset took a severe hit before the match even started, according to coach Mel Wait, with young centre Jayda Plant injuring her ankle in the under-17s that morning.
“Jayda (Plant) hurt her ankle but still played, and played really well, but then Ella Foley rolled her ankle and that just made it even more difficult for us,” Wait said.
“Apart from that we just struggled with consistency. We made some changes at quarter-time and from then on we were better for the next two quarters. The girls did a good job – we were just very undermanned.”
Goal keeper Taylah Morris was among the Saints’ better players while Chloe Militto and Amy Cadd were best-on-court for the Tigers in their season-defining win.
FINAL WHISTLE
WOORINEN 57
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG 41
KOONDROOK-BARHAM v MALLEE EAGLES
THE Mallee Eagles have climbed into the all-important top three for the first time this season thanks to a hard-fought 23-goal win over Koondrook-Barham on Saturday.
The Raiders were competitive for the first half despite being without star centre Remy Doyle through injury, with the Eagles holding a six-goal lead at half-time before putting their foot down after the main break to run away comfortable 50-27 winners.
The result was the perfect percentage booster for the Eagles, who leapfrogged Balranald into third despite both teams winning, with Eagles co-coach Alicia Harvey impressed with her team’s ability to run out the game.
“Our girls pushed all the way to the end and didn’t give up,” Harvey said.
“This year is a season where no team can be overlooked or underestimated, regardless of ladder position, and this was exactly what our mindset was stepping onto that court on Saturday.
“The first quarter was pretty neck-and-neck with a lot of momentum changes and that’s a testament to the Raiders’ character and work ethic.
“They came out firing and played some terrific netball.
“Their goalies were accurate and their defensive pressure, mixed with a few of our own errors, definitely kept them in the game and made us work hard for the win.”
Defender Laura Sheahan was best-on-court for the Eagles, with co-coach Jess Jobling another strong contributor in the win, with defenders Abby Paul and Emily Copland among the Raiders’ better players.
FINAL WHISTLE
KOONDROOK-BARHAM 27
MALEE EAGLES 50
