Lions show form

PAKENHAM Netball Club’s A-grade team showed good form going into the finals, even though going down to ladder leaders Beaconsfield by 11 goals on Saturday.
The late withdrawal of Danielle West had no affect on the Lion’s determination and it started the game off well, maintaining its composure under pressure to level scores 12-12 at quarter time.
Neither team was willing to give an inch and the scores were tied at half-time and only two-goal lead to Beaconsfield at three-quarter-time showed how close the contest was.
Unfortunately Pakenham made some crucial errors and Beaconsfield capitalised.
Kate McCowan and Jodie Bird worked tirelessly in defence for four quarters, making the opposition earn every goal.
Michelle Webster and Lauren Cherry shared the spoils with their more fancied opponents and Cathy Leeves provided a target at WA with her height advantage and movement in the attacking circle.
Melinda Williamson was made to work hard for her goals at GA, but had the better of Bridget Gargan and Rachel Priestly provided a reliable target at GS.
While not coming away with the victory, Pakenham will take plenty of positives from the match, knowing it matched it with the league’s best team for three-and-a-half quarters.
Focus now shifts to this week’s first final against ROC, where Pakenham will be looking to extract some revenge for its loss four weeks ago.
Scores Beaconsfield 48 d Pakenham 37.

@BT Sub Sport Gaz:B GRADE

Pakenham travelled to Beaconsfield for the last home-and-away game and a win was needed to hold top spot.
The girls had a steady start to the game with some good feeding into the ring and good talk all over the court, creating space and moving the ball well.
The girls went into half-time seven goals down, but kept their heads up and pulled the lead back by one going into the last quarter six goals down.
Unfortunately bad decision making and passing saw the Pakenham go down by 13 goals.
Scores: Pakenham 31 lost to Beaconsfield 44.
Best on court: Erin Cunningham.

@BT Sub Sport Gaz: C GRADE

Pakenham looked forward to the challenges it knew would come from Beaconsfield.
Both teams worked hard to control the game, but the scores where close at every change.
Pakenham’s defence had many turnovers and played well all game.
At the last change, Pakenham was up by a goal.
Beaconsfield threw out the challenge in the last quarter and was two goals up during the quarter.
Pakenham’s solid work through centre court and composure in the goal ring gave it back the lead to win by one goal.
A great win from all the girls to finish the home-and-away season undefeated.
Scores: Pakenham 23 d Beaconsfield 22.

@BT Sub Sport Gaz:17 AND UNDER

It was the last game for the season after missing the finals, but Pakenham wanted to make a contest against a strong Beaconsfield line-up.
The girls started well with some consistent goaling and good talk, but a stronger and taller Beaconsfield team outscored Pakenham.
Scores: Pakenham 24 lost to Beaconsfield 41.
Best on court – Pakenham: Olivia Hunt.

@BT Sub Sport Gaz: 15 AND UNDER

On Saturday Pakenham took on top team Beaconsfield and although it lost the game, the girls played one of their best games for the season.
Paige Roberts shot accurately and attacked strongly in the GA position and Gabby Smethurst played smart netball, opening up the goal ring to allow for easy movement by all attacking players.
Bec Cox provided strong leadership through the midcourt with hard running and strong passing.
Chocolate Shop award went to Paige Roberts.
Scores: Pakenham 24 lost to Beaconsfield 37.

@BT Sub Sport Gaz:13 AND UNDER

Pakenham played its last game for the season against the strong Beaconsfield team.
The first quarter was a great effort, keeping with Beacy’s score, but in the last half the opposition got away.
Kayla Spicer and Nicole Green worked well in goals with midcourt players Jessica Cox, Tahlia Brown, Lauren Bateman, Emily Crick and Annabel Waack working really hard up and down the court and great defence by Sam Ryan and Elise Russell.
Scores: Beaconsfield 41 d Pakenham 8.
Best on court – Pakenham went to Jess Cox.