Hawks win two
Drouin Hawks A grade and 17&Under teams, both in the “five”, were the only winners for the club against Leongatha on Saturday.
The B grade side dropped from the top five as a result of its defeat.
A grade: Drouin 51 d. Leongatha 31.
Games against Leongatha are always physical but friendly battles and an opportunity for the Hawks to test some of their versatility over the court. Quite a few combinations were tried in both defence and attack as they get ready for the business end of the season.
No matter who played where they adapted quickly to the tumultuous conditions; fast paced in the sunshine and short and sharp when the wind and rain hit in the third quarter.
Award winner Sarah Dunn created countless turnovers for the Hawks.
B grade: Drouin 37 lost to Leongatha 44.
The defence end can’t win a game but can they give it a good shot!
Ali McArthur in WD created countless turnovers for the Hawks and her talk could be heard over at the footy oval not just around the netball court.
Alongside her the ring defenders, although facing taller goalers, showed how much practice and pressure can hold up a ball.
At the other end of the court the goalers started off really well but then struggled with the feeding into the ring although they finally found some rhythm through Deb Thomas and Kelly Hedley late in the game.
The Hawks knwo they can match it with the top sides if they play four consistent quarters that build the scoreboard pressure.
Award winner: Alison McArthur
C grade: Drouin 29 lost to Leongatha 37.
Drouin was within two goals for most of the game and it only in the final quarter that the margin blew out.
Like some of the other Hawks teams at the moment they are playing well for three quarters.
The disappointing thing is that they know what to do, can do it really well at times but just need to do it for a bit longer.
Fitness will be the C graders key to unlocking the rest of the season.
The first and third quarters were by far the best netball they’ve played for the season.
Jess Murray and Bianca Tucker in defence worked tirelessly all day while Abbey Tyrrell and Tegan Salton moved the ball well in attack.
Awards went to Jess Murray, Abbey Tyrrell and Tegan Salton.
17&Under: Drouin 42 d. Leongatha 30.
In was a slow start to the game Drouin failed to convert from the many turnovers the defence end created
When they found their groove in the second quarter the Hawks were were able to kick away.
Leongatha never gave up and got within two goals in the last quarter before the Drouin girls rallied and came away with an 11-goal win.
Best on was Lateisha Edwards who was an unbreakable wall in GK, not letting anything past, and Jemyma Leishout played a consistent game and fed the goalies beautifully in attack.
Lateisha Edwards & Jemyma Leishout received the awards.
15&Under: Drouin 24 lost to Leongatha 32.
It was an unfortunate loss by the side that who played a strong first three quarters and were within a few goals for most of that time.
They let it slip a little in the last quarter, fatigue and a few bad decisions proving costly.
Overall it was a good game by all players with Darcy Appleby returning from injury to play her first game for the season.
Alana Rippon goaled superbly in GA while further down the court Kiarna Craig put up some great defensive pressure in WD.
Award winners were Alana Rippon and Kiarna Craig.
13&Under: Drouin 23 lost to Leongatha 33.
Some horrific weather started off the baby hawker’s day. Nothing like wet socks to cheer you up.
Despite this the girls stayed with Leongatha for most of the game.
Some fantastic defensive work led by Lucy McKellar was seen at one end of the court and some accurate goaling by new goaler Ella Gown was at the other.
Zeta Campbell and Maya Cooper received the awards.