Saints, Rats go tit for
With a few early season games under their belt already, Wimmera league netballers find themselves marching towards round four already.
With two of last weekend’s roundthree winners decided early on in the match, Ararat and Horsham Saints thought they would mix things up by battling it out right to the whistle.
In the match of the round, Ararat defeated the Saints by two goals, 48 to 46, in a quarter-by-quarter high-speed netball affair.
Scores were level after the first change and at each change after that, the margin stayed within two goals until the end.
Each side shot accurately, with impressive intercepts the way it was turned over.
Saints shooter Abby Hallam shot with an impressive 93 percent accuracy, while Rats midcourter Monique Scott controlled the circle.
Horsham Demons were too strong for Dimboola all match, with the Demons having extended their lead at each break to defeat the Roos 59 to 26.
Minyip-murtoa, meanwhile, was too classy for Warrack Eagles, with the powerful Burras having claimed the win 48 to 22.
Stawell A Grade sat this one out, with its fixtured match against Nhill, which is fielding a B Grade side as its premier team of the season.
Teams have another chance to reset their early season form ahead of round four this weekend, before the season starts to get away from some clubs.
Southern Mallee Giants, fresh from a round-three bye, will meet a buoyant Minyip-murtoa at home.
The match has potential to be an interesting showdown given the Burras’ recent form and accuracy will be the Giants’ path to victory.
The Giants will be keen to shut down Burras shooters Lucy Brand and
Zali Brown early. Stawell welcomes the Saints down the Western Highway for another interesting match-up.
A close game will require Stawell fronting up with a full line-up and limiting Hallam’s scoring opportunities.
Stawell shooter Zanaiya Bergen returns for her first match of the season, a player the Rats will have to keep their defensive-eye on.
Warrack Eagles invite a strong Demons outfit to their home court, a challenge for Eagles’ dynamic midcourt player Emma Koschitzke, given the Demons’ impressive defensive set-ups.
Dimboola will head to Ararat to play a young but well-oiled Rats line-up that plays with speed and confidence.
Nhill sides have a bye.