DARTMOOR has demonstrated they are once again top contenders for the flag in the South West District Netball League A grade competition, taking care of Coleraine in trying conditions on Saturday, 40-31.

After suffering a round four loss to the Maroons as just one of two games the Giants have dropped, they stood up on Saturday to return the favour with a nine-goal win.

It was a steady build from the Giants, as they had created a four-goal lead by the opening break and continued to push.

While the Maroons hit back in the third term, Dartmoor put their foot down towards the end to secure victory.

In wet and windy conditions, it was an impressive performance from goal shooter Marlee Gartlan who stood up for the Giants in their attacking end against heavy pressure from Coleraine’s defensive unit.

Dartmoor coach Leesa Logan said they knew it was going to be a hard hit out coming into the game, but her side was keen to redeem themselves from round four.

“We were very happy with the result; we thought we were a bit underdone the first time we played them, so we were keen to have a good crack and the girls did,” she said.

“Saturday’s game was our second match in five weeks so we knew it would be tough, but I was really happy with how the girls stood up.

“We had a good start but then Coleraine came back at us at one point – to the girls credit they just kept pushing and then really hit it out in the last quarter.”

Rebecca Vankalken was once again a solid contributor for the Giants throughout the midcourt and with the side losing Hana Layley to injury, Logan said they are working through some positional changes.

“Bec as always was so strong through the centre,” Logan said.

“Hana is out for the season now with a knee injury, so we’ve had to reshuffle the midcourt around, but they all stood up on Saturday.”

New recruits Charlotte Rice and Mikayla Rice have also been a huge addition to the Giants’ line up with both players holding down their role in the goal circles.

“Charlotte just amazes me every time, she reads the ball so well and her and Keely (Price) are combining really nicely,” Logan said.

“It’s Mikayla’s second game back from her nose injury too and she’s doing really well, her and Marlee are a new combination so they’re just figuring each other out.”

Dartmoor sit in second place on the ladder and with a difficult string of games coming up they will be on the hunt to push for top spot.

Saints challenge Roos

Despite winning just one game for the season, Branxholme-Wallacedale challenged top-four side Westerns on Saturday, going down by just 10 goals, 45-35.

It was a huge first quarter from the Saints who developed an 11-7 lead heading into the break with Crystal Tonissen proving difficult to stop in goals for Branxholme-Wallacedale.

The Roos hit back in the second term and kept the Saints to just five goals while piling on 15 of their own to take a 22-16 lead at half time.

Westerns continued to push in the third term and won plenty of ball back through the middle to push their lead out to 10 goals at the main break.

In the final term the Saints matched their opposition but couldn’t close the margin seeing Westerns walk away with a 10-goal victory.

Darras defeat Lions

Tyrendarra recorded a strong 74-22 victory against Heywood on Saturday in wet conditions.

It was a strong opening quarter from Heywood who managed to post nine goals while the Darras slotted 16.

Shakira Stuchbery was a powerhouse for the Lions all game through their attacking end, controlling the play alongside some impressive work from Makybe Sheehan.

Tyrendarra’s pressure lifted through the midcourt in the second term, allowing them to win back more ball and push out to a 34-15 lead.

The Darras found more momentum in the second half of the match with their midcourt applying plenty of pressure and capitalising on loose ball to earn the win.