Northern Netball League (NNL) reporter Lauren Bordin looks back over some of the netball action from Round 14.
COMETS STILL A FINALS CHANCE
A steady Bundoora Comets 3 outfit has given itself the chance to make the Section 3 finals, following its seven-goal defeat of St Mary’s 1 at Parade College in Round 14.
The Comets broke the first centre pass of the match to score a goal and start the game off positively.
Via intercepts, as well as poor passing at times from St Mary’s, Bundoora held much of the possession keeping St Mary’s to only three goals in the first quarter as it took a four-goal lead into the first break.
Good feeding into the circle early allowed Bundoora to further extend its lead to eight goals, the equal highest margin of the match.
But goal attack Jessica Beaton was handy in providing extra drive through the midcourt for St Mary’s, as her pace and sharp passes helped the Burra lessen the margin to five goals at half-time.
St Mary’s showed its midcourt pace in the third quarter, moving the ball with more speed than Bundoora to its attacking circle.
Although the Comets approach was slower, it was still effective with Bundoora still able to consistently add on goals throughout the game.
As a result, the half time margin stayed the same going into the final quarter.
St Mary’s kept pressing with its pace beating Bundoora, as its nine goals in the last quarter made it the team’s highest scoring term of the match.
But Bundoora was always able to keep its lead with its goals also ticking over steadily, and in the last minutes the Comets made a late push to win 34-27.
Final score: Bundoora Comets 3 (34) def St Mary’s 1 (27)
COUGARS WINNING STREAK ENDED
Northcote Park suffered its first loss for the season, with the win giving second-placed Greensborough confidence if it is to meet the Cougars again in the finals series.
The Boro claimed a seven-goal victory, bringing Northcote Park’s 12-match winning streak to an end.
In a tough and fast-paced first quarter neither Greensborough nor Northcote Park could be separated.
Samantha Taggart had a good presence in centre for Greensborough early, effectively covering Northcote Park’s wing attack on the centre pass.
The Boro’s defence was strong and they stayed tight on their opponents, although shooters Sarah and Ashlee Vaughan were still able to weave through the Greensborough talls to add to the Northcote Park scoreboard.
Some errors in passing from the Cougars gave Greensborough the opportunities that allowed it to form a four-goal margin at half-time.
Megan La Rocca and Isabelle Conroy combined well in the circle in their efforts to get the best position for a shot, with Conroy working hard to get past opponent Jenna Boseley who didn’t leave her side in the circle.
The Boro doubled Northcote Park’s goals in the third quarter to form a nine-goal lead going into the last term.
This proved extremely handy as the Cougars challenged in the final quarter, although it was too big of a deficit to chase down, with Greensborough eventually winning by seven goals.
Final score: Greensborough 2 (27) defeated Northcote Park 1 (20)
