PORTLAND had plenty of reward for effort on Saturday with their Open side earning its maiden win for the Hampden Netball League season against Port Fairy.

After a tough start to the season the Tigers rallied on Saturday to earn a 61-48 win against Port Fairy, their first four points for 2023.

Their attacking end shone with the injection of Shakira Stuchbery at the post, combining well with Heidi Jones. The pair were able to share the scoring load and dominate the opposition defenders.

It was also a welcome inclusion of Tyleah Barr who played her first game after a few weeks off recovering from an ankle injury.

The Tigers came out firing, earning a 15-7 lead in the opening quarter thanks to some quick transition into attack off the hands of defenders Toni Rowe and Maddie Stone.

Portland continued to hit the scoreboard strongly in the second quarter with Katie Zeunert standing up in the centre court and winning plenty of ball back to help her side to a 31-22 lead at the main break.

The match evened out in the remaining two quarters, but Portland maintained their composure to close out their first win by 13 goals.

“It’s a really good reward for the girls, the last eight rounds we’ve had have been tough so it’s so pleasing for them to get some reward for their efforts,” co-coach Ellen Zeunert said.

In the absence of some key players including Lexie Petch and Remy Grant, the Tigers called upon Heywood shooter Stuchbery for her second game with Portland as well as defender Toni Rowe.

The injection of another strong shooting option was a key highlight of Saturday’s contest.

“The combinations of Shak and Heidi in the goal circle was just phenomenal, and then to have Tyleah back out there and combining with Katie in attack that worked well for us.

“It was just a natural combination and Shak provides so much in there and helps to move the defence off Heidi.

“Having Toni in defence is huge too, but everyone played their role. It’s nice to have a bit of height at both ends with those bookends.

“It makes such a difference to have those options, Tyleah is so versatile she can go anywhere and really hold down any position, so it was nice to have her height in wing attack too.

“Katie had a good run too all over the court.”

Saturday’s win bumps the Tigers from tenth position into eighth as they now sit at least 20 per cent ahead of ninth placed Camperdown and tenth placed Port Fairy who both also have one win for the season.

With some reinforcement expected in the coming weeks Portland’s Open side is looking to find some consistent performances heading into the back half of the season.

“It’s the same as usual at the minute we go week-by-week for now and then we’ll get Rem back soon and Toni will be gone so we’ll keep trying to balance the side until we get everyone back in.”

Other games

What was set to be a blockbuster clash between first and second placed sides South Warrnambool and Cobden ended up being a one-sided affair with South Warrnambool earning a convincing win 64-38.

It was the first time last year’s grand finalists have met this season and South Warrnambool made a showcase as the team to beat.

Koroit highlighted their improvement across the season with a confident 54-34 win against Terang-Mortlake while Hamilton continued their solid season with a 69-44 win against Camperdown.

It was a close contest between North Warrnambool and Warrnambool with the Eagles closing out a solid final quarter with a 44-38 victory.