Powerful display brings reward
Horsham District’s interleague netballers put on a powerful display in front of a home crowd at Horsham City Oval on Saturday, downing Loddon Valley Football Netball League by 20 goals.
After what had been a tight game in the first quarter, the District league exploded with 17 goals to five in the second quarter to establish a 14-goal margin at the long break.
Loddon Valley, led by goalie Lucy Morcom, showed resolve to keep fighting in the second half, but the result was beyond doubt – Horsham District emerged with a 55-35 win.
Key to the District league’s success was its defensive pressure.
Playing coach Ebonie Salter created numerous turnovers at goal defence for the home side, making it hard for Loddon Valley players to hit open team-mates in the centre and goal thirds.
In goals Caitlin Story was on song, finishing with 44 for the day to outscore Loddon Valley on her own.
Jenna Bywaters and Brittany Keller were also rotated through the goal ring and, along with Story,
helped chase down rebounds even when their shots missed.
Salter said the team had functioned extremely well as a unit, with few individual standouts.
“The girls all played really well and clicked, which was good,” she said.
“We got a few goals early on the board and just kept building from there.
“We made a lot of changes too and the girls adjusted and just kept building for the whole game.
“Defensively we were really good. Even with the attacking girls if we had a missed shot or a turnover, the pressure was there all the way down the court.
“Defensively we definitely beat them and that gave us opportunities.”
Salter was named Horsham District’s best player in the win, but paid credit to the rest of the team.
“The girls were talking heaps and doing a lot of the hard work that let me come through and get hands to the ball,” she said
“I was happy with my game, but I think all the girls contributed and made things easier for me.”
Horsham District’s under-17 netball side was left to rue a missed opportunity after going down to Loddon Valley by four goals in overtime. The home side maintained a narrow lead after the first, second and third quarters, but Loddon Valley erased a four-goal deficit in the final term to tie the scores at 45 and send the game into an extra period.
The visitors kept up the momentum in overtime, outscoring Horsham District 13 goals to nine to snatch victory.
A 29-goal haul to Oliva Revell saw her claim Horsham District’s best on court honours, while Loddon Valley goalie Amy Murfitt was named the best for the winners.
Round six
Horsham District netball action this weekend will pit Swifts against third-placed Harrow-balmoral as the 2-3 Baggies try to keep pace with the top six.
Two more finals aspirants, Kalkee and Jeparit-rainbow, will clash at Kalkee as the Kees attempt to break into the top six and the Storm attempts to stay there.
Noradjuha-quantong will also be striving to keep itself in the finals mix when it travels to play winless Pimpinio.
Taylors Lake faces a daunting challenge against reigning premier Natimuk United and Rupanyup will host ladder-leader Laharum in other matches.