PORTLAND took a step in the right direction with a competitive performance against South Warrnambool in the Hampden Netball League’s Open division on Saturday afternoon.

It was a tough assignment facing the sixth-placed Tigers, who hosted the undefeated Roosters to round out the first half of the season.

And while the scoreboard showed a sizable gap between the two sides, a 56-34 victory to South, those watching the game would attest to a closer contest.

“I don’t think the scoreline was a true reflection of the level we played at, so I’m not disappointed,” Portland co-coach Michelle Finck said.

“I think we played a lot better than what we did against Koroit the previous week.

“There were a few things we worked on at training that we did better this week.”

The Tigers started the game well with both teams scoring off their first two centre passes, but Portland creating early intercepts through goal keeper Jacci Piergrosse.

Both teams were strong defensively all over the court, not allowing the other to play with any flow.

However in what would prove to be the trend of the day, South Warrnambool was able to maintain that defensive structure longer than Portland and edge ahead late in the term.

“Every quarter we started well, but they just wore us down and took advantage on the scoreboard.

“I thought we won enough ball back, but we lost control of it in the middle third.”

The Roosters won the first term 13-8, the second 17-11, the third 13-8 and the fourth 13-7.

The South goaling combination of Hollie Phillips and Annie Blackburn proved difficult for Portland to counter, with the duo having a height advantage and a terrific harmony with Blackburn’s experience and smarts leading to plenty of opportunities for Phillips, who finished with 45 of South’s 56 goals.

With regular defender Mikaila Pitt missing the game, Portland ran with teenager Tyleah Barr against Blackburn.

“I thought Tyleah did well, she had a tough job playing against Annie Blackburn who is a very tall, smart and experienced player, and I thought Tyleah really stuck at it.

“We missed Mikaila today, just having that stronger body in defence and being able to read the play really well, but it will be a really good learning experience for Tyleah.

“The other player who I thought did well was Maddie Stone. She was disappointed with her game last week, and I thought she was a lot stronger today.”

The loss means Portland finishes the first half of the season in sixth position on the ladder with four wins and five losses, a win and a half behind North Warrnambool.

The Tigers face fourth-placed Warrnambool at Hanlon Park this Saturday and then travel to play third-placed Cobden the following week. If they can cause an upset in either of those games then they will be right in the race for a finals place.

Division one

Despite winning a thrilling contest against South Warrnambool, Portland actually dropped a place on the ladder on Saturday.

The Tigers defeated South by a goal, 41-40, but North Warrnambool’s massive 52-18 victory over Camperdown saw the Eagles climb over Portland and into the top three.

Portland looked in trouble against the eighth-placed Roosters when they trailed for the first three quarters – down 6-12 at the first break, 19-25 at half time, and 30-32 at the final change.

However the Tigers were able to maintain their composure and won the final term 11 goals to eight to claim the one-goal win with Lauren Hockley scoring 26 and Sarah Tunstall 15.

Division two

Portland took on top team South Warrnambool but were no match for the visitors and as a result dropped from third to fourth on the ladder.

South has lost only once this season and controlled Saturday’s match to win 37-19.

Jenna Oborne (10) and Lexie Purcell (9) combined well in goals for Portland, but the Tigers could not curb the scoring at the other end.

Division three

Portland fell from fourth to sixth on the ladder after going down to the strong South Warrnambool, 31-23, on Saturday.

The Roosters, who have lost just one game this season, were in control from the start with an 8-3 first term opening up a gap.

Portland was outscored by just three goals for the remainder of the match.

The Tigers are one of three teams with five wins from the first nine rounds, but the other two teams have better percentages.

Portland faces those two teams, Warrnambool and Cobden, over the next two weeks.

17-and-under

Portland’s 17-and-under side, which sits in ninth position on the ladder with just one win and a draw for the first half of the season, put up a strong performance against fourth-placed South Warrnambool.

After trailing by four goals at the first break the Tigers produced a great second term to lead 19-18 at half time before South eventually gained control of the match and went on to win 43-33.

Lexie Purcell was named best on court for Portland.

15-and-under

Portland has finished the first half of the season in seventh position on the ladder, with three wins from the first nine rounds.

The Tigers were competitive against top three side South Warrnambool on Saturday, eventually losing 29-38. The Tigers led 8-4 at the first break but South got its game going with a 12-6 second term to take the lead