Hawks sweep senior grades
Drouin netballers accomplished the feat of a clean sweep in the three senior grades on Saturday with tough games against Sale. A grade: Drouin 63 defeated Sale 41. It was a tough first half for the A grade girls, with Sale stopping the drive in attack to force some rare errors by the Drouin attackers.
Some changes – including bringing Karina Proctor out into wing attack, moving April Bethune into goal attack and welcoming U17’s defender Chelsea DeRiter on into goal defence in her first A grade game - proved to be some of the welcome moves.
Also debuting in A grade was Ella Henderson. It was fantastic to see some of the younger girls really stepping up to the plate and showing what a future the Hawks have.
Down the other end of the court, April Bethune was causing a stir, reading the ball well and intercepting some great passes.
The third quarter was the one to watch; with the intensity lifting and staying high for the whole 15 minutes. The Hawks ended that quarter with a 20-goal lead. Award winners: April Bethune. B grade: Drouin 50 defeated Sale 41. Another tough game for the B grade girls, with a very close first half. It was the third quarter when the Hawks tough pre-season showed; pushing harder for the win, and then holding onto it.
Kylie Proctor was a welcome sight again on the court, shooting exceptionally well with her sister Jodie Buckingham – although they do need to work on their subtle goaler communication.
A grade: Cora Lynn 62 def Garfield 23, Inverloch Kongwak 48 def Bunyip 20, Nar Nar Goon 35 def Koo Wee Rup 34, Phillip Island 75 def Kilcunda Bass 26, Korumburra Bena 47 def Dalyston 26.
B grade: Cora Lynn 66 def Garfield 17, Inverloch Kongwak 47 def Bunyip 25, Koo Wee Rup 40 def Nar Nar Goon 27, Phillip Island 66 def Kilcunda Bass 24, Dalyston 50 def Korumburra Bena 39.
C grade: Cora Lynn 54 def Garfield 9, Bunyip 41 def Inverloch Kongwak 22, Nar Nar Goon 34 def Koo Wee Rup 31, Phillip Island 47 def Kilcunda Bass 17, Dalyston 41 def Korumburra Bena.
17 and under: Cora Lynn 67 def Garfield 8, Inverloch Kongwak 62 def Bunyip 14, Nar Nar Goon 30 def Koo Wee Rup 28, Phillip Island 39 def Kilcunda Bass 21, Dalyston 38 def Korumburra Bena 30.
15 and under: Cora Lynn 46 def Garfield 9, Inverloch Kongwak 42 def Bunyip 13, Nar Nar Goon 29 def Koo Wee Rup 22, Phillip Island 43 def Kilcunda Bass 12, Korumburra Bena 32 def Dalyston 11.
13 and under: Cora Lynn 37 def Garfield 1, Inverloch Kongwak 23 def Bunyip 9, Koo Wee Rup 34 def Nar Nar Goon 3, Phillip Island def Kilcunda Bass (forfeit), Korumburra Bena 20 def Dalyston 18. Kylie also was a steady and experienced head throughout.
Kelly Hedley ran centre all day, with an outstanding work rate. The defensive pressure she applied with wing defence Rachel Morris caused several errors from the Sale attackers.
Ella Henderson was flying in goal defence all day, stepping up to fill a position that she has now staked a claim at. She took countless intercepts and drove the ball hard down the court for the attackers. All the girls worked extremely hard for the win. Award winners: Ella Henderson and Kelly Hedley. C grade: Drouin 35 defeated Sale 33. You might have thought the C grade girls had just won a final with ecstatic faces when the whistle blew on Saturday. But they were just happy to finally be rewarded with a win.
After some disappointing years, some close games and even draws, the wins have been hard to come by for C grade. Some consistent passages of play, hard work at training and a supportive squad are the best ingredients this year.
On court, Abbey Tyrrell (goal shooter) was a force to be reckoned with, shooting incredibly accurately under pressure in the final stages of the match. She was supported by Emily Bethune and Ali Leishout.
The defensive pressure down the court was superb, helped by usual defenders Jess “Jeff” Murray and Abbey Craig playing wing attack and centre at times, alternating with Chloe Blum.
The drives down the court couldn’t be faulted and helped give the goalers many opportunities to convert, allowing the girls to get back the lead they had at the start.
It was the defence end that stole the laughs though, with Lia Olsen (goal keeper) getting her well-trained hands to many balls and Sarah “Scrappy”’ Sharpe (wing defence) attempting to take full possession – either lying down or standing up. Also making her presence noted with some fantastic moves was Toni Amory, who did a great job driving the ball out of defence when needed.
Award winners: Abbey Tyrrell and Lia Olsen. 17 and under: Drouin 33 lost to Sale 43. The Hawks had a fantastic first half, really getting the match underway in the best way possible. Taylah Marsh-Irwin shot incredibly well all game and was a strong post for the attack end. She also played smart and changed up her game when she had a new defender on her.
At the other end of the court, Lateisha Edwards and Chelsea DeRiter worked well together in wearing down their opponents.
The girls will take away from this game that they need to focus on what they are doing right, keeping a positive mindset and then the win will happen.
Award winners: Taylah Marsh-Irwin, April Bethune and Chelsea DeRiter. 15 and under: Drouin 32 defeated by Sale 37. Another tough match for the U15’s who were highly competitive. It started off slow but the girls fought hard and were only down by eight at three-quarter time.
When the final siren sounded, to only have lost by five shows what a strong second half of the match they played.
Goalers Brooke DeRiter and Olivia Konstanty worked the ball well under the ring; whilst midcourters Sabine Leishout, Ella East, Macy Newcombe and Holly Andrews worked hard to create turnovers.
Defensively, Ella Gown and Bailey Flemming backed each other up and took intercepts to shut down the Sale goalers.
Award winners: Bailey Flemming and Olivia Konstanty 13 and under: Drouin 1 lost to Sale 96. The baby Hawkers came up against a very tough and strong Sale team. They did all that was asked in playing the four quarters and holding their heads high.
Every senior netballer had to learn the game, improve each week and take on board the losses. And they are better netballers now because of it.
The baby Hawkers continue to improve and know that next time they play Sale; they will have improved immensely.
Award winner: Charlie Hendricks and Lucy McKellar.