With seven players competing in the recent Netball NSW Senior State Titles, there was no lack of class in the Panthers Agriwest side on paper leading into its Bathurst Netball Association A grade match on Saturday.
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And Agriwest delivered on the day, cruising to a comfortable 60-26 over CSU Hawkes.
Lara Abbott (under 15s), Clancy Best (under 17s), Maddy Coombes (under 17s), Molly McCrossin (under 17s), Ella Muller (under 15s, Kathryn Richardson (under 17s) and Tessa Welsh (under 17s) all featured at the state titles across the June long weekend and there was no sign of fatigue in their side's big win.
McCrossin was vital in the Agriwest defence, making key plays to frequently block CSU attacks and intercept their passes.
And Abbott didn't shy away from taking on her opposition players, who were several years her senior.
When she was playing center in the second quarter, she was involved in a rough exchange with CSU counterpart Bronte Doyle, but it was Abbott who won the penalty.
Agriwest coach Angela Best did admit she thought it would be a closer game.
"We are a young team, but they've just come off a full weekend in Sydney with state titles," she said.
"They were a bit tired and I think the last quarter showed.
"But it was a good game and they held their own. We're still hoping to finish in that top four [before the competition split] so that result is another step towards the top four."
And while the defence played a key role, Best said she was pleased with the effort from shooter Ruby Gangemi, stepping up in the place of absent players.
"Across the whole court, we're really strong, ready to take on the big teams," the coach said.
The win for Agriwest keeps the side in third spot, with CSU linger in eighth position with just the one win.
Bathurst Netball Association A grade round six results
- Collegians Mystified 49 defeated Bulldogs Verdelho 35
- Panthers A 73 defeated Panthers Toshacks 30
- Panthers Agriwest 60 defeated CSU Hawkes 26
- SASC 1st VII awarded win after Bulldogs Hurricane forfeited
- Panthers Mustangs 49 defeated Mana 42