ALL Saints’ College may have been on the wrong side of a 60-37 scoreline after Saturday’s Bathurst Netball Association A grade match against Panthers, but the students still took away plenty of positives from the contest.
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Perennial grand finalists Panthers led at every break and were able to rotate players through different positions in the third quarter, but there were periods of the contest where the A grade newcomers held momentum.
All Saints’ captain Ella Lewis was proud of the way her side performed.
“It was a great game today, we’ve been working hard at training. We’ll keep improving and hopefully we can give them more of a run for their money next time,” she said.
“Our coach has been helping us focus on confidence and body position and strength, and I think that’s what’s helping us out on court against girls a lot older than us.”
The opening minutes of the contest were close – All Saints’ goal attack Zoe Lewis impressing with some sharp, flat shooting – but Panthers soon pulled away.
Their ability to quickly drive down court after securing turnovers helped them gain ascendancy, with goal attack Jess Matthews and goal shooter Pearl Grimmett capitalising. By quarter-time Panthers led 15-7.
All Saints’ scored the first two goals of the second quarter, but Panthers responded and set about increasing their advantage.
Centre Ella Welsh and wing attack Gabby Bugg combined well through the centre of the court, with Matthews also linking nicely for a 31-9 half-time lead.
But All Saints’ lifted their effort in the third quarter - goal defence Bella Siegert especially impressive – and as a result they took the momentum.
They got back within four of the lead at 32-28, before Panthers again lifted in the back end of the period and with a quarter to go led 38-30.
For the final term Matthews, who had sat out the third quarter for Panthers, came back on at goal attack. Her impact was clear as her side posted a comfortable win.
