ANYONE who paid their entry fee at the gate on Saturday would have been pleased with their value for money, as the Cats girls once again put on some brilliant netball against the tough North Gambier sides – two matches finishing with just one goal separating the sides.
The 11 & Unders continued to have a great time on the court and despite no official ladder to measure the team placings in their grade, the girls’ 17 to nil win – their second of the round – shows they are coming together well as a team, enjoying their netball and working hard to develop their game.
Watch this space for the Cats’ future stars!
In the seniors, the Bs and 17 & Unders finished two nail-biters with a one-goal win and loss, respectively.
On two wins each and with just two percentage points separating them on the ladder, the Cats and North 17 & Under match was the one to watch at the weekend and the girls didn’t disappoint, with play neck-and-neck for the entire game and only two turnovers in the final quarter deciding the match in favour of the Tigers.
With North conceding just one loss to the as-yet unbeaten Millicent and the Cats with two-and-two, the B Grade match had all the makings of an epic battle.
The Cats didn’t disappoint, keeping spectators on tenterhooks until the final whistle and taking the win by a single goal – great netball to watch.
From the scribes …
15 & Under A
THE 15As lined up against a tall and skilled North Gambier which, paired with drizzly and rainy conditions, made it a tough assignment for the young Cats.
A slow start from the girls put them in chase mode for the remainder of the game, with defenders Amy Crauford, Sarah Richardson and Charlotte Nash working overtime to come up with turnover ball as well as transition it into attack.
Indi Longhurst was as reliable as ever, running the centre, providing accurate feeding into goalies Olivia Nolte and Chelsea Hulm, as well as applying plenty of deflections and intercepts throughout the game.
Brydie Carlin earned herself best on for the Cats, providing plenty of drive and attack in WA and C, as well as accurate shooting when she was moved into the goaling circle.
Nolte and Hulm had to work for every ball that was delivered to them and with the windy conditions, proved difficult for the young goalies, but they were able to convert at goal when needed.
Changes were made that brought Hanah Nash and Amelia Luers onto the court; both brought tight-checking defence and timely intercepts for the Cats.
Unfortunately going down to a polished North team, the girls showed plenty of promise throughout the game but also show areas that they will be looking to improve on in the coming weeks.
A Grade
WITH the completion of an entire round of games, Casterton Sandford A Grade side remain winless.
North Gambier’s focal point again this season is goal shooter, Caroline Wakefield.
Caro has enjoyed a great start to her season, shooting at a high 90 per cent accuracy.
The Cats knew they would need to stop the supply and convert their own centre passes to be competitive.
An opening quarter effort of 18 from 19 from Caro combined with a slow-to-settle Casterton side set up a 10-goal, quarter-time lead to North.
Regrouping at quarter time, the Cats tightened their circle defence, Caeleigh Humphries battled hard giving away several inches in height and strength, Ebany Jarrad (GD), continued her good form from the 17s, getting hands to ball and creating some much-needed turnovers.
The pressure through the mid court from Tessa Marra and Scarlett Jarrad cut down supply to the Tigers, limiting them to 13 attempts in the quarter, while improved accuracy from Cats goalers Madalene Cleary and Charlotte Rice saw the reward on the score board - the second quarter, a much more even affair with both sides adding 12 goals, the margin remaining 10 goals at the half.
Falling victim to another third term lapse, the Cats’ inaccuracy at goal and poor passing was their let down.
The margin would have been even greater was it not for the defensive efforts of the side who continued to fight hard across the full court.
The young defenders limited Wakefield to another 32 attempts for the half; unfortunately, she was able to convert 30 of these.
The fourth quarter for the Cats was a better showing, matching it with the home side but still unable to peg back the margin, the damage done in the 20 to seven third quarter.
North eventual winners 69 to 41.
The Cats continue to score in the 40s but now must worked harder again to reduce their unforced turnovers and convert all scoring attempts and the margins will start to be reversed.
The side will be ready to take on West again next week and put their game together for the full four quarters and start to show the competition and themselves what they are truly capable of.
