A review of the Greensborough 1 vs Fitzroy Stars 1 and South Morang 1 vs Greensborough 2 netball matches from Round 3.
Section 1 Round 3 – Fitzroy Stars 1 vs Greensborough 1
A close Section 1 encounter, where the score was within two goals for the majority, ended with Greensborough claiming a two-goal win over Fitzroy Stars at RMIT in Round 3.
It was a low scoring first quarter as the defence of both teams controlled the early parts, pushing balls out of their opposing side’s circle and maintaining strong pressure throughout their thirds.
With the score reading 7-6 Greensborough’s way at the end of the first quarter, the second quarter begun with Boro’s GS Madison Carroll and GA Bianca Power scoring two successive goals.
Greensborough looked as though they had forced a decent margin in the quarter, leading 14-10, but the Stars attack improved as the accuracy of GA Montana Hudson and GS Lomekah Atkinson forced a tie at 15 all.
A contact call on Olivia Ellis, Boro’s center, gave the Stars an opportunity to pull ahead in the game with Atkinson scoring a goal.
Greensborough got right back in the game as Stars GD Marindah Hudson was called for contact outside of the circle and Boro shooter Carroll converted.
The scores remained tied at 16 all at half time after the Stars were unable to convert a goal on their center pass in the final seconds of the second quarter.
Stars took the lead early in the third with a goal off Greensborough’s center, but then lost their own center pass as Boro’s Madison Carroll, who had been moved to GA, scored a goal.
Jessica Bamblett, GK for the Stars, picked up valuable loose balls and intercepts during the third term.
The scores remained tied as the Stars and Greensborough went goal for goal in the third quarter.
The ball movement around the circle by Greensborough’s WA Imogen Ashworth and C Isabelle Conroy allowed the shooters to feed off them so they could get closer to goal.
A miss by Stars GS Atkinson and contact by Stars GK Bamblett allowed the Boro to take a two-goal lead.
The final quarter saw great pressure built but Greensborough maintained their two-goal advantage.
While the Stars attempted to work the score in their favour, Boro stayed strong and came out of the final quarter on top.
Final score: Greensborough 1 (34) def Fitzroy Stars 1 (32)
Section 2 Round 3 – Greensborough 2 vs South Morang 1
What started as a close match in the first three quarters ended in an 12-goal win for South Morang against Greensborough at RMIT University on Friday night.
Early on both teams struggled to convert their possession to goals as the teams only managed a 6-7 score at the end of the quarter, with South Morang in the lead.
The scoreboard maintained its one goal difference as South Morang and Greensborough’s center court players moved the ball through their attacking thirds and shooting circles efficiently.
South Morang forced a five-goal advantage towards the end of the first half, after making plenty of opportunities for their GS Karli Burns and GA Tayla Hardiman to score goals.
Greensborough moved the ball effectively down the court from their defensive third to shooting third, scoring a quick goal on the siren which ended the first half of the match. The score read 16-13 South Morang’s way.
Boro scored off South Morang’s center early in the third term, and a few more strong plays by the teams saw the score tighten to 16-15, putting the Boro only a goal behind.
Not long after the Greensborough girls managed to get an intercept off South Morang’s center, gaining a goal and then an immediate goal from their own center pass pu them ahead.
Back and forth play in the centre was stopped after South Morang WA Danika Arney forced the ball out of play.
The Boro were able to move the ball to their shooting circle but South Morang GK Bridget Canals, stopped their play, moving the ball to swiftly to the Lions’ attacking third, to tie the score at 17-all.
South Morang soon gained a two-goal lead and a strong hold by GK Canals forced a turnover as the clock ticked down for the quarter.
The final term saw South Morang edge further in front as it assumed a 21-18 lead, but Greensborough fought to stay in the game, despite struggling to convert its chances into goals.
Boro missed crucial shots that would have kept them in the game, while South Morang was much more accurate when its chances came.
Despite Greensborough fighting hard, their missed shots allowed for South Morang to control the final quarter and win the game convincingly.
Final score: South Morang 1 (31) def Greensborough 2 (19)
