HAMILTON Kangaroos remain third on the HFNL Open netball ladder despite suffering its first loss for the 2023 season against ladder leaders South Warrnambool at its new home of Pedrina Park, 39-62.

Each team entered the match undefeated with the Roos sitting third and the Roosters on top of the ladder, and the game started at a frantic pace as both teams looked to stamp their authority on the match.

They went goal-for-goal for the first half of the opening quarter, but the Roosters made a critical turnover that saw them get out to a two-goal gap within a minute, which was soon doubled to four goals by the first break.

 Once that gap had been established, the Roosters kicked into another gear, as they made the home side pay for every little mistake, pouncing on any opportunity to gain possession and extend the lead by nine goals to 13 by the long break.

It was more of the same after the resumption for the third quarter, as it appeared that the home side was just not on song for the day, as turnovers continued and the gap widened to the final margin of 23 goals.

Ella Sevior was the best on court for the Roos with Hayley Sherlock and Emma Sommerville giving her great support, but the home side was handed a lesson by the Roosters, and they will take on board what they need to improve upon to match it with them in the return game later in the season.

Division 1 Kangaroos suffered their first loss of the season to South Warrnambool, which leap-frogged the Roos on the premiership ladder with a 47-40 victory.

The Division 2 team maintained its undefeated start to the season and opened an eight-point gap on the premiership ladder over rest of the competition, with a seven-goal victory over South Warrnambool, 47-40, as Bailey Ryan and Sophie Robinson led the way for the Roos.

The Kangaroos remain unbeaten on top of the Division 3 ladder after defeating the Roosters, 41-29, as Sharney Millard and Joe McKew had best on court performances.

The 17-and-Under Kangaroos staged a huge last quarter revival with 12 goals against the Roosters only to go down by two goals, 36-38, as Ella Sevior and Bridget Myles produced great games for the home side.

The 15-and-Under team was thoroughly outclassed by their visitors, losing 11-42, despite the best efforts of the whole side.

Hamilton Kangaroos 13-and-Under team got the day off to a great start for the home club with a strong 29-20 victory going away from South Warrnambool, as Lucy Jennings and Molly Sevior did the damage under the hoop.