Looming rain clouds couldn’t stop spectators - draped in beanies, jackets and gloves - and players from fronting up for netball at Carr Confoy courts on Saturday. The afternoon’s matches produced entertainment for the supporters and a challenge for the netballers, writes SIMONE BLAY.
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AFTER a run of close encounters, the Flying Flamingos found some breathing space this week when they played Trinity Sparx.
The game provided spectators and players with lots of laughs. Sophie Weston was best on court, showing her versatility in a number of different positions. Tori Groake from the Sparx was valuable for her team, intercepting the Flying Flamingos drives up the court on a number of occasions. Some top shooting from Catherine White assured her team of the win this week. The Flamingos came away comfortably.
With the rain clouds still looming and the temperature dropping a few degrees teams in the cadet division took to the court for their matches.
The Ferocious Fairies came up against the highly fancied Hot Shots and both teams provided some wonderful netball to watch. As always Jamie Whittington for the Hot Shots shot with dead accuracy, barely missing the ring all game. Laura Godkin for the Fairies played a superb game, with some fabulous jumping and speed around the court.
Sarah Gray of the Hot Shots spoiled the Fairies drives up the court with some beautiful intercepts the result of her pinpoint reading of the play. Best on court in the game were Sarah Gray and Laura Godkin. Brooke and Taylor Murphy were impressive for the Fairies in this division, with both girls playing well above their age and holding their own. The Hot Shots took the game in the end 42-31.
In the other cadets match the Average Joes took on the U15s in a match that really could have gone to either team.
The U15s are really starting to demonstrate the benefit of a few years playing at the representative level, with the girls stepping their game up a notch.
The dedication and passion of coach Laura Craig is also notable in the girls’ improvement over the last two seasons. Piper Holmes, Aleesha Bush and Catherine White all shot well for the U15s, making it difficult for the defence of the Joes to spoil the play.
Caitlin Jones and Olivia Hannan shot well for the Joes but found some tough opposition in the strong defence of Eliza Appel, Ella Manning and Skye Deighton. The U15s finished with the win 34-19. The 15s are a team to watch come finals time - they may even walk away with a well-deserved upset on grand final day.
Two seniors games were played on Saturday.
The Blue Bogans met the Dominotrix. Dominotrix appears to be the team to beat this year in the senior division and the weekend’s effort only strengthened their aura. The shooting pair of Jamie Whittington and Ella Manning did the damage to the Bogans’ defensive line up.
Sam Rose for the Bogans was consistent and hardworking, so too was Amy Hayes. Dominotrix came away with a comfortable win in the end 34-16.
For the second week in a row the U17s had to take to the court with only six players, this time for their match against the Catastrophies. The U17s played some lovely netball and gave the match their all despite being a player down.
The U17s were tight in defending the Catastrophies centre pass, at times making it difficult to get the pass away. The new goal-scoring pair for the Catastrophies, Laura Craig and Skye Deighton, was a huge success. The pairing is likely to reappear again in future games. In conclusion it was a great game from both teams. It was a particularly excellent effort from the U17s playing with only six players. However the extra player proved the difference in the end with the Catastrophies taking the game quite comfortably.
This week’s GDNA 100 Club sold out in record time. Congratulations to this week’s winner, a very excited Kayla Hickey, who we believe was spending her winnings shouting her mum lunch! The GDNA 100 Club is fast becoming a popular weekly fixture, so make sure you get in fast to secure your number of choice.
