A review of the Northcote Park 1 vs West Preston-Lakeside 1 and Fitzroy Stars 1 vs Greensborough 1 netball matches from Round 13.
Section 1 Round 13 – Northcote Park 1 vs West Preston-Lakeside 1
West Preston-Lakeside moved within one win of the top-four on the Section 1 ladder following a strong win over Northcote Park in Round 13.
West Preston-Lakeside closed the game out well to finish with a 15-goal victory against a Northcote Park side that lost its way in the final quarter after sitting only five goals down at the end of the third term.
Northcote Park sat close throughout the first quarter, managing to tie scores on multiple occasions. But a strong grab by Lakeside centre Rebecca Caminiti took the ball to her side’s third and a contact against Northcote Park helped put Lakeside ahead by four goals.
Lakeside players found space around the court away from their opposition, running towards the ball and receiving clean and strong passes. They progressed play to their shooters Jane Scheetz and Stacey Jeffery, who pushed Lakeside ahead 13-7.
Lakeside WD Katie Power put in strong defensive work around the circle edge, stealing possession off Northcote Park and feeding it quickly back towards GK Emma Farrant who then sent the ball down the court.
As the quarter advanced Northcote Park’s shooters began to find free space within the circle. Both shooters worked hard to make great position on the court and helped keep their side within six goals at half time.
The third quarter stayed close. Both teams desperately fought for the ball in their scoring ends, with both sides determined in their attack on the contest. The term was filled with intense defensive work at both ends.
The game felt closer than the scoreboard suggested, and while it was only five goals that separated the sides, there were times that Northcote Park seemed to be the side with the advantage.
The final quarter began and suddenly Northcote Park began to fall way. Uncontrolled passes and missed rebounds put the Cougars further behind on the scoreboard.
With Northcote Park’s shooters struggling to convert, West Preston-Lakeside took the ascendency.
With the momentum in their favour, West Preston-Lakeside finished strongly to stretch the final margin out to 15 goals to claim its fifth win of the year.
Final score: West Preston Lakeside (51) def Northcote Park (36)
Section 1 Round 13 – Fitzroy Stars 1 vs Greensborough 1
Greensborough 1 jumped up into third position on the Section 1 ladder after defeating Fitzroy Stars in Round 13.
Starting the round one win behind the Stars, the 11-goal result helped the Boro leapfrog their opponent on the table with five rounds remaining in the home and away season.
With plenty riding on the result of the game, the teams went goal for goal the whole way through the opening stanza.
Both teams’ shooters put their bodies in good positions for scoring, with Stars shooters Tamekah Atkinson and Brigitte Linares shooting accurately, while Greensborough girls Abbey Ellis and Madison Carroll were just as sharp in their attacking circle.
With scores tied at 10-apiece at quarter time, the Stars managed to open up a two-goal advantage early in the second term. However, the lead didn’t last long as the Boro quickly fought back.
Boro defenders Sarah Collard, Olivia Ellis and Hannah Newton took numerous intercepts and were strong in rebounding missed Stars shots. They also maintained strong defensive pressure on Fitzroy’s centre pass, forcing the ball out of court on multiple occasions.
Their ability to deny the Stars movement into their attacking third allowed Greensborough to assume a 17-15 lead heading into the half time interval.
Not letting the deficit deter them, the Stars fed the ball long into their GA Linares, giving them a chance to get closer to Boro’s score. Stars defenders Jessica Bamblett and Klarindah Hudson also lifted and forced Boro’s shooters to attempt to land shots from distance.
Going into the third quarter with scores tight, the intensity continued to lift. With both teams feeling the heat, the number of missed shots began to increase at both ends of the court.
As the quarter progressed it was Greensborough GS Bianca Power who took control of the game and began to dominate in her attacking end.
Power’s accurate shooting seemed to lift the confidence of her teammates as the Boro began to lift in all areas on the court.
Greensborough had full control during the fourth quarter as its defenders forced turnovers, while the midcourt provided clean ball into the attacking third, where the Boro shooters then brought it home, scoring with complete accuracy to finish on top.
Final score: Greensborough 1 (46) def Fitzroy Stars 1 (35)
