Kangas jump clear
A 16-goal-to-eight second quarter has helped Cohuna tighten their grip on a top five spot, sitting two games clear following a seven-goal win over Nyah-Nyah West United on Saturday.
After a hard-fought opening quarter, the Kangas put their foot down after the first break, doubling the Demons’ output for the term to open up a 10-goal lead at half-time.
NNW United hit back in the third term, however, with a strong defensive display from Taylen Blachford and Shanai Kelly creating several turnovers that the home side took advantage of, reducing the margin back to just four goals.
The last quarter was a carbon copy of the first, involving both teams working hard on both defence and offence in a bid to break the game open, with Cohuna eventually going on to record a 52-45 win.
Cohuna coach Georgia Anderson was satisfied with her team’s performance, particularly the output of two of her young stars.
“I was very happy with the seven-goal win,” Anderson said.
“I believe we could have won by more, as it was a day for silly little errors at times, but we keep proving each week to be able to adjust quickly back into our style of game.
“I was very impressed with our two young girls Marli (Easton) and Ebony (Black) in defence.
“They’re not even 18 yet and they played a full game of high-intensity netball against smart goalers.”
Cohuna wing attack Taylor Hird was among the Kangas’ better players, with GA Kobie McIvor (16 goals) and Delainey Holmes (36 goals) also strong contributors, while Blachford, Kelly and centre Matika Mitchell were in the Demons’ better players.
FINAL WHISTLE
WOORINEN 41
COHUNA 52
Magpies stay unbeaten
AN eight-goal stretch early in the final quarter has maintained Lake Boga’s unbeaten start, coming from behind in the last 10 minutes to record a 46-40 win over the Mallee Eagles.
The win sets up a top-of-the-ladder clash against fellow unbeaten side Swan Hill this Saturday, with Lake Boga surviving the scare thanks to a strong attacking display from Katie Carmichael and Sarah Hepburn in goals.
After trailing by four points at half-time, the Eagles fought their way back into the match to level the scores at 32-all by three-quarter-time, with an upset brewing after the home side then scored the first two goals of the final term.
But Carmichael and Hepburn had other ideas, with the Lake Boga goalers going on an eight-goal stretch over the next four minutes to blow the game open for the Magpies.
While disappointed not to cause an upset and force their way into the top five, Eagles co-coach Alicia Harvey was still full of praise for her team, with her attention quickly turning towards another huge contest against Balranald this Saturday.
“Overall, Jess (Jobling, co-coach) and I were extremely happy with how we all performed against arguably the team to beat this season,” Harvey said.
“We put in a four-quarter effort and there were so many momentum changes, it honestly could have gone either way, but credit to (Lake) Boga, they are such a well-drilled team with unbelievable connections down the court.
“Katie (Carmichael) and Sarah (Hepburn) are both impeccable shooters, and shutting them down is always a challenge for any team they come up against, but I felt our defenders did an amazing job making them work hard for it.”
Harvey and Eagles defender Laura Sheahan were among the Mallee team’s better players, along with Megan Thorneycroft who led the Eagles scoring with 22 goals.
FINAL WHISTLE
MALLEE EAGLES 40
LAKE BOGA 46
Swans too strong
SWAN Hill have continued their unbeaten start to the season with a seven-goal win over a determined Kerang on the weekend.
It was a much improved performance from Kerang, who are yet to claim their first win this season, with Blues coach Chloe Adams giving special praise to the performance of three of her young stars.
“They (Swan Hill) are a super experienced and connected side so I’m really proud of our girls for the way they played yesterday, particularly our youngsters Jamison (Wise), Bree (Cordina) and Lily (Wise) who really stepped up,” Adams said.
“We stuck to our processes and structures a lot more which was our main goal and we looked after the ball a lot better in attack, which allowed us to stay in the contest throughout the game.”
Keiarah Brooks was another Blue to perform strongly along with Cordina and the Jamison Wise, while defenders Stevie Bibby and Tess Meney were the best for the Swans.
FINAL WHISTLE
SWAN HILL 46
KERANG 39
Roos turn contest
BALRANALD have prepared for this Saturday’s home game against the Mallee Eagles with a hard-fought 14-goal win over Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
After a tight opening half, where they led by just three goals at half-time, the Roos turned the contest on its head in the third quarter with a 16-goal-to-seven quarter that gave them a match-winning 12-goal lead at the final change.
Elli-Jane Pollard (34 goals) and Ella Mirtschin (27 goals) were strong contributors in Balranald’s attacking third, while Summer Blachford led the way for the Saints with (31 goals), along with goal keeper Ally Grace, who made her A Grade debut for the home side and looked like a player of the future following a strong performance.
FINAL WHISTLE
TOOLEY-MANANG 47
BALRANALD 61
