The netball action continued on Friday night, in the first round following re-grading.
NNL reporter Lauren Bordin was at two encounters at Parade College.
FAST START IGNITES COUGARS
Northcote Park led from the outset of the game, claiming an 18-goal victory against Watsonia in Division 2 of the NNL.
After much toing and froing throughout both ends of the court, the Cougars opened up the scoring, breaking Watsonia’s centre pass.
Whilst both sides were quick, Northcote Park’s impressive speed allowed them to cut off Watsonia’s leads and as a result it was leading 10-3 at the end of the first quarter.
The Cougars strong defensive performance continued into the second term.
They were constantly in front of their opponent, intercepting the ball and forcing turnovers.
A high conversion rate from Northcote Park was reward for it used its pace to bring the ball down to its attacking circle and it created a 10-goal lead at half-time.
Watsonia started the second half off well, improving its ability to get the ball down to its goal circle.
The Saints’ defence was also solid, with Casey Cesarin and Michelle Pratt’s ability to hold their balance whilst defending shots on goal being a standout for Watsonia.
Despite this pressure, the Cougars’ ability to score goals was not slowed as they added nine goals in the third quarter.
Northcote Park’s defensive pair of Julia Olsen and Jenna Boseley again had a good quarter, as along with creating turnovers they also helped their team move the ball down the court.
Quick team work in and around the Cougar’s goal circle, saw fast entry into the shooters who kept trying to be an option, even against the Saints tight defence.
Although it was a low scoring last quarter, Northcote Park still outscored Watsonia, scoring seven goals to the Saints’ three, as the Cougars won comfortably 33-15.
Final score: Northcote Park 33 def Watsonia 15
WATSONIA MAKES LATE CHARGE
Watsonia fought back a half-time deficit to defeat St Martin’s by six goals in a Division 6 battle of the Saints at Parade College.
The St Martin’s Saints movement in the goal circle was good from the outset, as it made the most of its opportunities when the ball entered into its shooters.
However down the other end of the court, inaccuracy was a key reason the Watsonia Saints trailed at quarter-time, albeit only by a goal.
An intercept in St Martin’s attacking circle led to a Watsonia goal, bringing the scores, level at the start of the second quarter.
An even second quarter struggled to split both teams.
Wing defence Andie Wilkinson starred for St Martin’s in the second quarter, intercepting the ball and helping St Martin’s increase its slim lead to two goals at half-time.
The first goal of the third quarter didn’t come until the three-minute mark by St Martin’s.
However Watsonia then began to dominate the second half of the third quarter, taking the lead for the first time in the game.
Its attackers started to shoot more accurately and Watsonia got ahead by three goals until St Martin’s pinned one back late in the quarter.
Watsonia continued to hold the momentum as it entered the last quarter, with the ball spending the majority of time in Watsonia’s forward half.
A rebound from goal keeper Maddie Russell, resulted in a goal for St Martin’s in a positive play for it during the final quarter.
However, Watsonia’s improvement in the second half, helped by errors made by St Martin’s, resulted in it recording a 25-19 win.
Final score: Watsonia 25 def St Martin’s 19
