Match reviews from Diamond Creek 1 vs Fitzroy Stars 1 and Greensborough 1 vs Heidelberg 1 in Round 11 of Section 1 netball.
Section 1 Round 11 – Diamond Creek 1 vs Fitzroy Stars 1
Diamond Creek 1 extended its lead atop the Section 1 netball ladder with a three-goal win over Fitzroy Stars 1 in Friday’s top of the table clash at RMIT University.
The round 11 match up came down to the final quarter on Friday night, with the Creekers able to secure a 58-55 win to improve their record to 10-1.
Diamond Creek’s slow start put them at a slight disadvantage on the scoreboard early in the game, however their defence kept them in the fight.
Soon after goal attack Stacey Gannon found her feet in the ring and was able to tie the scores at 7-7.
Forcing a turnover and then scoring on their centre pass. saw Diamond Creek took the lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Stars started the second quarter in fine form, taking an early intercept. Their feeding into the ring opened up the game and they managed to not only peg back their deficit but take a two-goal lead.
Diamond Creek, now on the back foot, struggled under the defensive pressure of Fitzroy Stars goal keeper Elenoa Costello, who took several intercepts and was impenetrable at times.
Diamond Creek shooters Gannon and Kelly Sadowy worked hard to keep their side right in the contest and made the most of their opportunities to keep the Creekers within five goals.
Diamond Creek moved swiftly to try to score one final goal before the half time siren, but Stars goal defence Jessica Bamblett stopped their attempt.
Out in front by five goals, the Stars picked up the pace in the third quarter and took a steal from Diamond Creek’s shooting end.
Stars goal shooter Natasha Atkinson-Brown sat directly under the post and was fed the ball in over the head of her Diamond Creek defender, before scoring to further her side’s lead.
Diamond Creek was looking shaky and struggled to find any easy avenues into the shooting circle, with the defensive work of Costello and Bamblett putting their shooters under a lot of pressure.
However, the champion side continued to persist and slowly but surely began working their way back into the contest.
The Stars lead began to diminish as Diamond Creek came within four goals, before several mistakes allowed the Stars to steady the play and hold onto a seven-goal lead at three quarter time.
The final quarter was frantic, which included Diamond Creek wing attack Brooke George taking a fall and coming off court with an injured leg early in the term.
Diamond Creek gradually began eroding the deficit, before a break by the Stars gave the Creekers an advantage on the centre, which they eventually converted to move within two.
The nine-time reigning premiers soon levelled the scores and with the pressure reaching fever-pitch levels they were able to stay composed and pull ahead.
Once in front they managed to hold on to the advantage to claim a three-goal win in one of the best games of the 2019 season.
Final score: Diamond Creek (58) def Fitzroy Stars (55)
Section 1 Round 11 – Greensborough 1 vs Heidelberg 1
Heidelberg kept itself entrenched in the Section 1 netball finals race with an 11-goal win over Greensborough.
The Tigers made the most of a strong second term to lead by seven goals at half time before going on to claim a 54-43 at RMIT University in Round 11.
With both sides entering the game with a 4-6 record, Greensborough stepped onto court applying tough defensive pressure.
The Boro held a slight lead early, however Heidelberg soon began finding their range – which included goal attack Chelsea Ross recovering possession after a slip up in the ring to convert and tie the scores.
Greensborough’s defence gained a high number of rebounds in the first quarter and were swift to pounce on Heidelberg’s missed shots.
The scores were tied at 12-all at quarter time but as the game progressed the contest for the ball became more intense.
Heidelberg goal shooter Lauren Spinks was given a caution, which allowing Greensborough to advance the play and keep the game tied.
Heidelberg took the lead soon after as their shooters’ quick movement around the ring set them up directly under the post.
Greensborough began to slow towards the end of the quarter, as Heidelberg passed precisely down the court and into the shooting circle.
The intercepts down in defence seemed to boost Heidelberg’s confidence in attack as they opened up a seven-goal lead at half time.
Greensborough fumbled on their centre pass in the third term and gave an easy run into the goal circle for Heidelberg.
The Tigers soon stormed in front to a 10-goal lead, but Greensborough responded with two goals in quick succession to stay in the contest.
Heidelberg goal keeper Emily Rowe then took a vital intercept at the third line, which slowed Greensborough’s momentum. Both Rowe and Stefanie Symes defended well in the third term to keep Greensborough at a distance approaching the final quarter.
Heidelberg came onto the court without a goal attack, leaving two defenders on their goal shooter Ross. Even with the doubled-up defence, Ross was able to catch a lob under the post.
Goal attack Spinks took the court on the next centre to even up the numbers on court.
Greensborough wing attack Madison Carroll required first aid on court after she twisted her knee coming down from a pass.
The Boro were forced to make a change to positions for the remainder of the quarter, but despite their best efforts were unable to make inroads on the scoreboard as Heidelberg claimed a deserved win.
Final score: Heidelberg 1 (54) def Greensborough 1 (43)
