PAKENHAM hosted Beaconsfield the first home game of the season – with the match-up a greatly anticipated day of netball, as both teams are historically identified as benchmarks for the league.
With Beaconsfield winning the three junior matches, it was a very determined C Grade that stepped up to turn the day around.
Pakenham took the honours with both B and C, and A grade was a very exciting rematch of the 2008 grand final.
The Lions went down, however, by 11 goals at the final whistle.
Saturday was a very emotional day for the Pakenham Lions Netball Club, paying tribute to a valued life-member Pat Mandragona who passed away in the off-season.
It was a tremendous turn out of players (netballer and footballers) and supporters to be alongside Pat’s family and fellow life-members during the minute’s silence – and a best-on-court award in her name was a wonderful mark of respect by all.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:A GRADE
Pakenham showed some fantastic signs in their match against reigning premiers Beaconsfield on Saturday.
With a team still trying to find consistency early in the season, the encounter against an established and experienced Beaconsfield unit was going to give the Pakenham side a true indication as to their progress so far in the season.
The match started at a furious pace, with Beaconsfield taking an early lead, but Pakenham settled, and on the back of 8/8 from Cathy Leeves, reduced the deficit to only two goals at quarter time.
The second quarter saw a similar pace, with Beaconsfield able to capitalise on lapses in concentration by Pakenham, but the game was evenly poised, with the Pakenham side trailing by only three goals at half time.
A few positional changes altered Pakenham’s momentum, and it was the third quarter, with Beaconsfield piling on 17 goals to 12, where the game was ultimately decided.
Best-on-court went to Kate McCowan for a tireless four-quarter effort, and Rachel Priestly who shot 29 goals from 35 attempts.
Scores: Beaconsfield 57 d Pakenham 46.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:B GRADE
After a disappointing start to the season against Keysborough the B Grade girls were keen to get a win on the board against strong rivals Beaconsfield.
The girls had a shaky start to the match but steadied their ball movement and kept their heads to go into quarter time four goals down.
A great second quarter with solid defence in the ring and great goaling had Pakenham leading at half time by one goal.
The fresh legs that come on in the second half saw the whole team continue the one-on-one pressure all the way down the court with some great passages of play and finishing the game off well – running out winners by seven goals.
Scores: Pakenham 50 d Beaconsfield 43.
Best: Raegan O’Brien and Jill Tivendale.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:C GRADE
Beaconsfield is always a challenge so the girls knew that a good start was important.
Pakenham’s first quarter was full of rebounds, pressure and accurate goaling. Pakenham continued into the second quarter with more turnovers and everyone giving great drive through centre court.
Scores: Pakenham 26 d Beaconsfield 22.
Best: Jess Christie and Aleisha Taurua.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:UNDER 17
Saturday’s clash with Beaconsfield was always going to be a tough one for the players.
Unfortunately, they started off slow and the opposition got a jump early in the game and eventually ran out winners for the day.
To the team’s credit they didn’t drop their heads but continued to work hard and improved as the game went on.
Scores: Beaconsfield 42 d Pakenham 26.
Best: Stephanie Van Dam.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:UNDER 15
Saturday’s game was an excellent game of netball to watch and be involved in.
The game was a much tighter tussle than the scoreboard would suggest.
Our girls ran hard and worked extremely well together, working the ball around until they got the option they were looking for.
Bec and Jac did an outstanding job in defence although they were undersized compared to their opponents.
The second and third quarters were tight encounters with the game going goal for goal. Gabby provided defensive support for Bec and Jac in the WD position and Zoe ran hard through the mid-court.
All girls should be proud of their performance as their opponents Beaconsfield are a highly skilled team that set a high benchmark for the rest of the competition.
Scores: Beaconsfield 34 d Pakenham 16.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:UNDER 13
The Pakenham team took a half to get settled into their game with the first half being a struggle to get down the court against a strong Beaconsfield team.
During the last half of the game pressure became stronger down the court with Nicole Green and Emily Crick trying their hardest down the defensive end and Jess Cox playing a brilliant game all up the court.
Scores: Beaconsfield 44 d Pakenham 5.
Best: Nicole Green, Jess Cox, Lauren Bateman.
