Above: Gippsland Storm goalattack Sam Hodge in action.GIPPSLAND Storm State League senior netballers spent Sunday training rather than celebrating after being comprehensively beaten by 11 goals by Mountain Districts at the Pakenham Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday night.
Coach Simon O’Shanessy called the session to sharpen the Storm after the 4938 loss in front of a crowd, estimated at more than 300, at their only homegame fixture for the season.
This was the second encounter for both sides this season with the Storm soundly defeating Mountain Districts in the first round earlier in the year.
Storm was fourth on the ladder and Mountain Districts eighth and the home team was confident.
They game started slowly for Storm with Mountain Districts working a zone defence, which seemed to catch Storm off guard. Mountain Districts consolidated an eightgoal lead in the first quarter.
Storm coach Simon O’Shanessy made some changes after the first quarter, but Mountain Districts consolidated with a 10goal lead at half time and held this for the balance of the game, winning 49 to 38.
It was the first time this season that Storm had shot less than 50 goals and O’Shanessy told his players after the game that they should never take any game for granted.
He said State League competition was so competitive there was no room for complacency and it was a good opportunity to learn.
The night was a great success for Gippsland Storm to showcase State League Netball in the Gippsland region.
Next year officials are aiming to host two home games, one at Pakenham Stadium and the second at the Warragul Stadium.
Storm sponsors including 3GG and Star FM attended the event and it was filmed for WIN TV and will go to air tonight (Wednesday).
15 AND UNDER
The event started with a curtainraiser between the Gippsland Storm 15 and under team and the Mountain Districts side.
It was the second matchup for the two teams in a matter of days, with them meeting last Thursday night in the second round at the Waverley Netball Centre.
On that occasion Mountain Districts soundly defeated Gippsland Storm so the stage was set to turn the tables.
Storm started strongly and secured a modest lead and, with the crowd behind them, consolidated that lead in the second quarter.
Leading by three goals at threequarter time, Storm coach made changes in the last quarter that saw the home side run out winners, 30 to 25.
Best players for Storm were goalers Laura Fowler and Danielle Milner, together with Kelly Hedley (wing attack) and Tarryn Darby (goalkeeper).
Ireland said that it was a great team effort and good to see Storm win in front of such a large home crowd.
