Close contests as Hawks travel
Drouin netballers had two wins and several close contests when they made their longest road trip to Bairnsdale on Saturday. A grade: Drouin 51 defeated Bairnsdale 44 Nothing like being under pressure week in and out! A new line up featuring some up and coming Hawks from 17s and B grade helped with numbers - and help they did!
Sara Russell came out firing in centre and goal defence until her ankle copped it, whilst Ali McArthur was enjoying a second lot of defence until cramps got her. However, these legends had already made an impact in the game.
Kim Diston was the control in the circle, stunning and impressing all who watched.
In the midcourt, Ella Henderson literally gave it her all. Tilly Carroll was the perfect substitute, absolutely flying down the court giving speed and purpose to the game.
In the ring, April Bethune and Ruby Pratt were aiming for a super goal - absolutely nailing the brief of to “come out shooting”.
It was a strong win for the Hawks, showing the versatility of the whole team.
Awards: Sara Russell, Ruby Pratt and Kym Diston.
B grade: Drouin 41 lost to Bairnsdale 42 What a difference a month or two can make. After going down to Bairnsdale by 13 goals at their last meeting, this game was a nail biter.
Drouin’s defensive end kept it under control as per normal, continuing to step up each week. Ruby Pritchett along with Ali McArthur, “Cap Al Mac”, kept up the pressure in the midcourt. This allowed Maddy Caddy to create turnovers in the defensive third.
Deb Thomas worked tirelessly in centre, with Georgia Henderson and Liv Konstanty driving hard onto the ring to get the ball into the goalers.
In the attack end, Jodie Proctor captained the ring with a quick look or raised eyebrow. Tess Mapleson’s consistency in goaling and
Chelsea’s adaptability to play whenever and wherever she was asked, creates dynamic combinations.
What an amazing game, each week the Hawks are stepping up and developing into a stunning team. Bairnsdale had to work very hard to scrape through by a goal.
Awards: Ruby Pritchett and Ali McArthur.
C grade: Drouin 49 defeated Bairnsdale 30 Nothing says you’ve passed the mid-point of a netball season like a few injuries and a new and fresh line-up.
The Hawks welcomed with warm arms Kate Butler back into C grade, who drove hard and fast through the midcourt and fed precisely into the goalers. They also had Chrissy Walsh out at goal attack.
Emily Bethune and Georgia Lightowler combined well in the ring, creating plenty of movement and scoring off nearly each opportunity.
The defence end were, again, hard at work to put pressure on to cause turnovers. Jess Murray and Grace Henderson used their voices and swaps to get plenty of intercepts, both in and out of the ring.
Making the most of this was Darcy Appleby, driving the ball down the court and safely into the hands of the waiting attack players.
Awards: Emily Bethune and Georgia Lightowler.
17 and under: Drouin 32 lost to Bairnsdale 38
It was a slightly undermanned 17s side taking the court for the Hawks. This gave the opportunity for Bella Tangipo and Zoe Curtis from 15s to get some extra game time under their belts.
The first quarter was tough. The pressure Bairnsdale were putting over every ball created some errors from the Hawks. But, the girls still managed to hang in there, ending the quarter seven goals down.
Into the second quarter, the game changed and it was the Hawks putting the pressure on. They pulled back the margin to trail by three goals. By the end of the third quarter, it was a draw. Heading into the final quarter, the Redlegs had too much momentum and the Hawks just couldn’t hold on.
It was a great effort to level the scores, but that was all they had.
Awards: Tess Mapleson and Matilda Carroll. 15 and under: Drouin 9 lost to Bairnsdale 56 It was a tough game out there for the 15s against a very competitive Bairnsdale side.
The whole team worked hard and brought intensity to their game, chasing after every ball and going for plenty of intercepts.
In defence, Zoe Curtis and Mylie Stoll led the tally for deflections and intercepts, with some amazing work against strong goalers.
In the midcourt, the dynamic duo of Jamison Thomas and Adah Heard used each other to create space on the ring and patiently fed the goalers.
In the ring, Mia Trewin and Bella Tangipo kept persisting against relentless defenders. They used the whole attack end to create space and position.
Awards: Adah Heard and Zoe Curtis.
13 and under: Drouin 11 lost to Bairnsdale 40
After the long trip up the highway, the game scoreline didn’t reflect that the Hawks had some great passages of play.
In the defensive end, Chloe Walsh and Amber Hammond combined well and shut down two very strong goalers. They both created plenty of scoring opportunities but the girls just couldn’t convert.
In the attack end, Emmerson Kneebone and Sophie Cassidy worked hard to get the ball on the ring. They worked well together to create angles and movement.
Although it wasn’t the Hawks’ day, there were lots of positives.
Awards: Chloe Walsh and Amber Hammond.