Eagles end Saints unbeaten start


Published on Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Author : Elly Kirlis

Whittlesea 3 have kicked off their 2022 winter netball Section 9 campaign in perfect style, defeating Watsonia 3 by four goals at RMIT University.

After scored were level at the end of the first term, the Eagles found some breathing room with a seven goal to three second quarter and never looked back, winning 23-19.

The victory is the Eagles’ fourth of the 2022 campaign, rising them to second of the ladder, with the Saints close behind in third spot despite suffering their first loss of the season.

Matilda McDougall played a great game as the Eagles’ goal shooter, scoring 14 goals with Daisy Hobbs playing a handy role in goal attack, contributing for eight goals.

The excellent goalkeeper work of Matilda Bland set the tone in the defensive end, keeping Watsonia’s goal shooter Dempsey West to six goals.

Goal attack Emma Watkins was the standout for the Saints with 13 goals, including seven of Watsonia’s eight first half goals.

Both sides produced an even effort in the first term, scoring five goals each.

Watkins converted four of her shots on goal in what was a difficult quarter to score thanks to the work of both defensive units.

But in the second quarter, the Eagles were able to open the game up, scoring seven goals to three with McDougall producing her highest scoring quarter with five goals.

Whittlesea’s midcourt also combined well to generate quick ball movement between defence and attack and was also a major factor towards their four-goal halftime lead.

The Saints were able to win the third term thanks to four goals from Watkins but still trailed by three goals heading into the final quarter.

But Whittlesea were able to maintain the gap they created in the second term with a six goal to five final quarter, ultimately running out four goal winners.

The Eagles will look to make it four consecutive wins when they face South Morang 2 next week while Watsonia will want to bounce back when they take on the winless Macleod 2.

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