Success for Euroa netballers

A Grade AFTER a long drive to Rochester, with Google sending some on an outback adventure, the Euroa senior netballers had a brilliant start to their game on Saturday. Mia Sudomirski and Annabelle Gorman were on fire in goals, shooting very accurately and converting at every opportunity. The defensive pressure in the mid court from Kellie Davidson and Grace Warnock limited the scoring opportunities for Rochester and at quarter time Euroa led 25 to Rochester 8. Bree Poole came on at quarter time and worked very well with Mia in the goals to continue to stretch the lead. Sophie Owen went into WD and with the defensive pressure from her, Ellie Warnock and Tylah Marchbank, the Rochester girls were finding it hard to score. Eliza Hoare and Kellie Davidson worked tirelessly in WA and C and fed the goalers well at every opportunity. Another dominant quarter from the Magpies saw a 26–goal lead at the half time break. Mia had a well–earned break for the third quarter which saw Annabelle and Bree working together in the ring for the first time. With Ellie also having a rest, Grace and Tylah were also getting used to a new defensive combination in GK and GD. The Rochester girls took advantage of these changes and despite the work from Eliza, Kellie and Sophie in the midcourt; it was hard to stop the scoring from the Tigers. They outscored the Magpies reducing the margin at three–quarter time to 18. Some more rotations for the last quarter saw Eliza and Tylah having their turn for a break. The Warnock duo in Ellie and Grace went into defence and Mia and Annabelle back in goals. Sophie, Kellie and Bree ran out the quarter well through the mid court in what was a very fast paced game. The Rochester girls had their confidence up, and through some accurate goaling by them, it was an even last quarter. Euroa ended up winning 67 to Rochester 48. This victory now sees Euroa sitting on top of the ladder, ahead of a huge clash a home this Saturday against second–placed Mooroopna. Best players: Mia Sudomirski, Grace Warnock, Annabelle Gorman B Grade IT was a sombre drive to Rochester on Saturday, bleak skies and drizzling rain not boding well for players and spectators alike. So, it was a wonderful surprise to come around the last sweeping bend into the township to discover sunshine and blue skies. Unfortunately for Euroa's B grade netballers, that's where all the wonderful surprises stopped. The Rochy Tigers were sitting just below the Magpies on the GVFNL ladder before the game, so Euroa always assumed that it was going to be a battle. And this turned out to be the case for the first half of play. Millie Watson started in the centre position, displaying confidence and poise, playing a really strong game for the Magpies, and demonstrating just what an asset she will be for the EFNC in future. Abbie Ellis at wing attack was instrumental in getting the ball into the goalers quickly and with great vision. Despite very close attention from the Tiger's wing defence, Abbie was able to maintain her composure, find space and bring the ball down the court into the Magpie attack. Rhi Teichert and Kelly Hill have continually refined their partnership in defence over the course of the season, often using telepathy and a sixth sense to know where each other are, and more importantly, what their opponents are doing. The Rochester goalers were hard work on Saturday, they were tall, quick and very accurate. Both Rhi and Kelly gave one hundred per cent for four quarters, never giving in, and making the two Tigers earn every possession. For the first two quarters, it was an even contest, with both teams pushing the other. Then Rochester started to edge away, a combination of their determination and some unusual Euroa errors. The Tigers were quick to convert any opportunity they were given, and the gap between the scores continued to grow. By the final whistle, it was a 17 goal victory to the Tigers, who will now go ahead of Euroa on the ladder. This leaves the Magpies clinging to their spot in the top six and their dreams of finals. Next week's game against Mooroopna at Memorial Oval, and every game after that, now has an added degree of desperation. But the B grade team is one that responds very well to crowd support, so hopefully there are literally throngs of locals surrounding the court next Saturday at 1pm, with loud voices, 'one–eyed' opinions and plenty of encouragement at the ready. Rochester 50 defeated Euroa 33 Best players: Rhi Teichert, Millie Watson, Kelly Hill B Reserve IT was a successful day for the B Reserve netballers on Saturday, coming away with a hard–earned win. From the first quarter to the last, the girls put in one hundred per cent to get over the finish line. The first quarter started with some spot on goaling from Maddi Murray and Marnie Burton, both moving around the goal circle in unison, while up the other end of the court both Demi Walker and Janneke Kruger were putting a wonderful defensive effort. In the mid court Laura Frewen and Mimi Hamilton worked the ball down the court with the assistance of Mary Frewen at wing defence, with some lovely hands over the ball. The team stayed the same throughout the second quarter putting in a diligent effort to keep the scores close with some strong netball being played. In the second half we saw Katy Frewen return to the court after her injury, working beautifully in the defensive circle. Both wings changed with Kalarni Anderson coming into wing defence, sticking to her player like glove, and Lily Meehan into wing attack providing assistance to the mid court and goalers. The Euroa girls went into the last quarter up by one goal. They held their lead for the remainder of the game, eventually winning the game by four goals. Final score: Euroa 43 defeated Rochester 39 Best players: Maddi Murray, Marnie Burton, Kalarni Anderson