A review of the Greensborough 1 vs Bundoora 1 and Fitzroy Stars 1 v Diamond Creek 1 netball matches from Round 15.
Section 1 Round 15 – Greensborough 1 vs Bundoora 1
Greensborough 1 jumped into third place on the Section1 ladder following a six-goal victory over Bundoora 1 in Round 15.
Bundoora started off just one goal down after the first quarter but as the second started Greensborough began to gradually stretch its advantage.
The Comets had made a fast start to the game to take an early three-goal lead. Their defenders were quick to steal the ball and progress down the court, where shooters Emily Williams and Megan La Rocca worked into comfortable shooting positions.
Greensborough’s defence were relentless as the game went on, continually going up for rebounds and getting in front of their opponents for intercepts.
Bundoora started to slip in the second quarter as Boro’s defence intensified – forcing the ball out of court and creating turnover opportunities. The Bundoora girls found it hard to pass to their teammates and shooters struggled to convert any chances they were given.
The half-time scored read 22-15 in Greensborough’s advantage and in the second half the Boro were able to again keep the Comets at bay, despite their opponents’ best efforts to mount a comeback.
Boro controlled the tempo of the third term and were able to keep control of the ball for long periods, while also defending well as a team when Bundoora took possession of the ball.
Sitting on a comfortable lead of nine goals at the three-quarter time break, Greensborough made a strong start to the final quarter, scoring the first goal.
While Comets put in a solid effort and never gave up, the Boro girls were constantly able to find space on court and move in front of their opponents for clear and concise passes.
While Bundoora’s defence worked tirelessly, the Comets just couldn’t get it enough ball to their shooters in order to put enough scoreboard pressure on the Boro.
Bundoora’s efforts were strong until the end, but Greensborough had given itself a decent advantage over the opening three quarters to ensure they were comfortably ahead in the closing minutes of the match.
The result improves Greensborough’s record to 8-6 for the season, while Bundoora slipped to bottom place, behind Northcote Park
Final score: Greensborough 1 (40) def Bundoora 1 (34)
Section 1 Round 15 – Fitzroy Stars 1 vs Diamond Creek 1
Diamond Creek proved far too good for Fitzroy Stars in their Section 1 top-four clash, running away for a 29-goal victory in Round 15.
Heading into the game after a bye last week, the Stars were considered a contender to potentially inflict the ladder-leader with just its second loss of the season.
But after a strong start, the Stars weren’t able to keep up with the top side in the second half.
Diamond Creek shooters Stacey Gannon and Kelly Sadowy got Diamond Creek off to a strong start, being fed with clean passes from the midcourt from Bronwyn Taylor and Brooke George.
The Stars worked just as well when they had possession, with centre Anita North making great passes around the circle.
As the quarter went on the pressure from both sides increased, forcing mistakes like throwing the ball over a third and, on occasions, out of court.
The Stars headed ended the first term with a 12-9 advantage and the second quarter was an extremely tight affair, with the scores tied at 18 goals apiece midway through.
Diamond Creek was able to sneak ahead by one goal at half time and the game looked as though it could go either way.
Diamond Creek shooters, Gannon and Sadowy put through the first three goals of the third quarter and from there their side never looked back.
Conversely, the Stars shooters struggled to make any notable changes to the score in the third. The accuracy of Tamekah and Thamah Atkinson dropped as they found it difficult to get any close shots near the net.
Diamond Creek was able to take possession of any missed shots and kept the Stars to just six goals for the quarter to head into the last term with a 10-goal lead.
Diamond Creek maintained its intensity and energy in the final term, running all over the Stars and not giving them any chance of a come-from-behind win.
Diamond Creek defenders Lynsey Barrett and Verhonda Smith grabbed every rebound and drove their side out of their defensive third.
The red-hot form of the Creekers and a drop in the Stars’ level of play as fatigue set in on the team meant the margin only extended in the last term.
Diamond Creek remains well clear in top spot on the ladder, while the Fitzroy Stars slipped from third spot down to fifth.
Final score: Diamond Creek 1 (64) def Fitzroy Stars 1 (35)
