Storm thunders home
Aposition shuffle proved the spark Jeparit-rainbow needed to overcome Pimpinio in the final quarter of their tense Horsham District netball showdown at Rainbow.
Trailing by four goals at three quarter time, Storm co-coaches Ashleigh Morrison and Bridget Mckenzie elected to move wing attack Maddison Marra to goal attack, while Mckenzie joined Ebony Spokes in defence.
The move proved a masterstroke as the Storm, which only scored seven goals in the third quarter, opened the floodgates in the final term.
The Storm connected on 19 goal attempts in the quarter to record a memorable come-from-behind 47-44 win.
Marra capped a best on court performance with 12 goals, while Oliva Revell also shone at goal attack, goal shooter and goal keeper.
It was a cruel break for Pimpinio, which nearly finished with its fourth win of the season.
Jenelle Baker at goal attack and Maggie Clough at wing attack and centre were the Tigers’ best players.
Taylors Lake continued to show
growth despite a 59-40 loss to Swifts at North Park, Stawell.
After breaking a seven-year losing stretch earlier this season, the Lakers refused to lie down for the finals-bound Baggies.
The excellent play of Swifts’ Kristy Dodds and goalie Michaela Armer kept the Lakers at bay, but the efforts of Mikayla Case in the midcourt and 22 goals to Jorrdan Weir ensured the team was not blown away.
Natimuk United continued its march towards the minor premiership with a resounding 63-38 win against Noradjuha-quantong, extending its lead at every change to extend its unbeaten start to the season to 13 games.
The only team within touching distance to the Ewes is Laharum, which impressed in its own right with a 6043 win against Kalkee, led by Maddie Iredell and Erin Mellington.
The Demons’ league-leading percentage of 196.33 means they are capable of taking top spot if Natimuk United falters in the final three rounds, but that scenario appears unlikely.
The final match of the round saw Harrow-balmoral earn a confidence-boosting win against fellow Edenhope-apsley.
The Roos’ calling card all season has been their stifling team defence.
It was on display against the Saints as they only allowed 16 goals in the first half.
At the other end of the court Amy Lewis scored 33 goals to lead the 5039 victory.
Young Saint Alarna Proffit was set a difficult task when asked to defend Lewis, but competed hard to help limit the damage.
The Roos will now take on Laharum in a compelling round 16 clash.
A win to Harrow-balmoral is unlikely to elevate the team above the Demons due to the side’s inferior percentage, but would give the team a big psychological edge with finals less than a month away.
Pimpinio will be at home in a challenging match against Natimuk United, Rupanyup will play host to Edenhope-apsley and Taylors Lake will welcome Jeparit-rainbow to Dock Lake Reserve, while Swifts, Noradjuha-quantong and Kalkee have byes. top-six side