Caitlin Blackman (United 1) defending Mia Moeauri’s shot on goal. Photo: Greg Symes.
Gibson 1 caused the upset of the Esperance Netball Association’s Division 1 season, triumphing by two goals, against a below-par Mallee 1 at the Esperance Indoor Stadium on Friday night.
Both teams fought a hard game with Mallee 1’s four-goal lead at quarter time the biggest by either side for the whole match.
Led by the defensive trio of Mikayla Barty, Chelsea Exell and Regan Ainsworth, Gibson 1 dried up Mallee 1’s attack in the last half, whilst Dannii Newton (42 goals) dominated the scoresheet in an athletic display.
Photos: Greg Symes.
In a rare occurrence, Exell was sent from the court for two minutes of playing time in the final quarter after repeatedly infringing on the Mallee attackers with overzealous play.
With Mallee 1 using the numerical advantage to take a one goal lead in the two minutes cool off period, the Tigers weathered the storm on the back of five late goals from Newton to run out 53-51 winners.
Mallee 1 better players were the midcourt duo of Lisa Mannix and Alysha Castelli as Abbey Wilson provided 29 goals in a side that was missing the talented Amy Delcaro, Courtney Stone and Eliza Vlasich from the lineup.
Earlier, United 1 stormed to the top of the Division 1 ladder after a comfortable 54-45 win over Newtown 1.
United 1 led 18-10 at quarter time after a 12 goals-to-four burst to end the term, a margin that it never surrendered, Rani Hotker (29 goal) and Kodey Major (25 goals) combining well up front.
In some solace for Newtown 1, Romy and Molly Mackenzie scored the last five goals of the match to reduce the margin to nine at the final whistle.
Photos: Greg Symes.
Newtown 1’s better players were Claire McIntyre at Goal Defence and Ruby Gordon played a serviceable game at Wing Defence for the Demons.
The Association takes a three week break at the mid-point of the season after tonight’s matches, with the representative teams busy training for the upcoming Great Southern Regional Championships on Friday 18 to Sunday July 20 in Albany.
