Saints enjoying surge
Horsham Saints will attempt to continue their mid-season surge in Wimmera Netball Association when they tackle Ararat in a big game this Saturday.
The Saints are coming off a dramatic and confidence-building one-goal win against Horsham and appear primed for a big second half of the season.
But Ararat is back to its old hard-to-beat self and always appears to grow in stature when playing on its home court at Alexandra Oval.
Horsham Saints trailed at every change against the Demons but pegged their way back at St Brigid’s Stadium in Horsham to snatch victory in the final term.
Midcourter Ashlee Grace and shooter Maggie Caris were again in the coalface as the Saints, confronted with a six-goal quarter-time deficit, reeled in the Demons to trail by two and three goals at half and three-quarter times respectively.
Horsham attempted to hold on with Liv Jones sharing a willing battle with Grace and Emma Buwalda on song under the attacking ring.
Ararat would have soaked up the information with interest after producing an impressive 16-6 second quarter that set up a 26-goal win over Stawell.
Ararat coach Donna Spalding said it was great to have vice-captain Kate Bligh back in the centre where she provided a calming influence over the team while driving the ball into attack.
“She is such a workhorse at both ends of the court. Goalies Tahnee Walker and Tayla Borrelli are starting to play instinctively and defending duo Krystal Fisher and Rebecca Skrabl were strong in the circle, working hard to keep Stawell’s goalies off ball-side,” she said.
Spalding said Fisher used her agility to intercept and was also instrumental bringing the ball down the court.
She said captain Jess Williamson used her speed effectively to open up the attacking third, which allowed goalies to position themselves in the circle.
Lisa Fleming and Kasey Mornane were Stawell’s best.
Burras and Giants
Second-placed Minyip-murtoa takes on Southern Mallee Giants at Minyip this weekend after scoring a comprehensive 6449 win over Dimboola.
The Burras produced a strong game, extending a three-goal quarter-time lead by another nine in a dominant second term.
But an ankle injury to Stef Cooper in the final term unsettled the team, allowing Dimboola to capitalise and peg back the margin.
Goalies Kirby Knight and Maddie Morgan and Jenna Hill shone for the Burras while Ant Toet and Louisa Vague had strong games for the Roos.
The contest between the Burras and the Giants will be a tough assignment for the Giants, who fell short 20-89 against powerful Warrack Eagles.
The Eagles celebrated Briodi Mckenzie’s 100th senior game in style, with Megan Werner shooting 64 goals in a dominant display and Penny Fisher and Jess Kelly creating a tight defensive game.
Unassuming but effective Jenna Schulz shut down the Giants across the midcourt while providing drive and Emma Koschitzke was also very good through the centre.
Denita Molly Reid and Zoe Turnbull were the Giants’ best.
The top-of-the-table Eagles now play Nhill at Warracknabeal.
Nhill had a rest last week and the week before finally found consistency against the Giants. But the Tigers will be undermanned against the Eagles and will need composure and patience to work through a tough defence.
The Tigers are capable of playing this style and will be put to the test by the league yardstick. Round-10 results: Ararat d Stawell 5529, Minyip-murtoa d Dimboola 64-49, Warrack Eagles d Southern Mallee Giants 89-20, Horsham Saints d Horsham 62-61.