NETBALL: Well it was sweet revenge for the Victor Harbor A Grade on the weekend when they easily accounted for Mount Compass to the tune of 21 goals.
The highly anticipated grand final re-match was a bit of a let down with the weather not helping for the fast paced, highly skilled game we were expecting.
Victor dominated for most of the match with their speed and full court pressure. Compass seemed a bit lacklustre and the reigning premiers now find themselves sitting in the bottom half ladder with one win and two losses.
In other exciting news, Encounter Bay has pulled through with the goods and recorded their first win for the season (in fact it may even be their first win in several years).
The girls were so excited and I am sure would have celebrated hard on Saturday night after a mighty effort against Port Elliot.
The Bays were quite convincing in the way they played and are really starting to gel together well.
This leaves Port Elliot yet to win a match along with Goolwa. I actually managed to make it to the Goolwa game on the weekend and realized that Melissa Watters isn’t in fact playing.
Rumours are she chose to try the netball competition in town. This has left a dent in the Goolwa unit but not one that can’t be repaired.
They are a young side and those that have been playing A Grade netball for several seasons need to step up and take on leadership roles.
Myponga continued on their ride up Easy Street for the minute and many are already predicting them to be a starter in the most important match of the season.
In the local derby, Strathalbyn and Langhorne Creek had a good battle in the rain but the classy Creek girls prevailed thanks in part to the influence of their captain Sophie Frost.
McLaren Vale and Yankalilla had a close match as predicted.
The game was low scoring thanks to the weather but also the excellent defensive pressure on behalf of both teams.
The Vale girls look to be in a pretty position on the ladder but now have a tough road ahead, facing the top teams in coming weeks.
Well netball was certainly wintry on Saturday and I am sure a sign of what is to come during the season.
Aside from this Saturday’s games the first Great Southern Netball Association representative carnival for the season will be held this Sunday at Strathalbyn, good luck to all those involved.
Myponga v Langhorne Creek
The match of the round with the only two undefeated sides coming head to head this Saturday. It will be a great match as Langhorne Creek has largely been flying under the radar and Myponga more in the spotlight.
Shane Nethercott is proving a great asset for the Creek and will defend the Pongy goalies Erin Rogers and Emma Raper who are working well together.
Another great match-up will be between Creek’s Bree Liebhardt and Pongy’s Roxy Reynolds.
Goalies will need to be on fire to help their team to victory.
My pick: Creek to surprise by two goals.
McLaren Vale v Strathalbyn
This is a game that McLaren Vale needs to win as after this week they face Myponga, Mount Compass and Victor Harbor.
Strathalbyn only has one win to its name so far this season, a statistic it would like to improve on.
Strathalbyn defender and last year’s equal association best and fairest, Alex Duncan, will have her hands full with McLaren Vale boom recruit Rebecca Walker.
This should be an entertaining match with the winner being the team that capitalises best on mistakes.
My pick: McLaren Vale by three goals.
Yankalilla v Encounter Bay
Yankalilla proved they are still a force to be reckoned with, recording another win on Saturday.
No win is coming easily for them; they are certainly working hard but at the end of the day getting the points on the board.
Jodie Blum and her Encounter Bay troops will be fired up after their first win and will be looking for a repeat performance.
It’s a tough ask as the Yankalilla girls have been playing together for a lot longer.
My pick: Yankalilla by eight goals.
Victor Harbor v Port Elliot
After a small hiccup against Myponga, Victor Harbor now continue on their merry way after dominating Mount Compass on the weekend.
The game against Port Elliot will be a walk in the park for the experienced and very fit Victor girls.
Shohan Fidge is doing a great job defending for Port Elliot but together with fellow defender Fi Challenor will have her work cut out against Victor’s Di Johns.
My pick: Victor to dominate by 25 goals.
Mount Compass v Goolwa
This is a must win for Mount Compass if they want to resurrect their season.
Their performance against Victor on Saturday was not the best although one will note that they did the same thing last year, lost substantially in the minor round and first final and still claimed victory in the grand final.
Compass appears to have several injuries and is fielding a different side every week.
The young Goolwa girls are trying hard and Jem Bishop is a great defender with long arms to watch out for.
My pick: Compass to rebound from its loss against Victor and win by eight goals.
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