PAKENHAM met its first challenge of the 2009 finals series, with a convincing 14-goal victory against ROC on Saturday.
Having lost to ROC four weeks ago by over 20 goals, Pakenham was keen to extract some revenge and respect for that recent poor showing.
Pakenham jumped ROC in the opening five minutes of the match, moving the ball well down the court, pressuring the ROC attacking end into mistakes, and allowing Pakenham’s goalers unlimited opportunities on goals, where they converted most.
Within the first five minutes of the match, Pakenham had opened up a commanding seven-goal lead, and looked like seizing early control of the match.
Pakenham lost focus for a few minutes after that and, after leading by as much as 10 goals, allowed ROC to reduce the deficit to six goals at the first break.
The second quarter was a repeat of the first, with Pakenham again taking early control of the match, blowing the lead out past 10 goals, before allowing ROC to reduce the difference to the quarter time lead of six goals at the half.
Pakenham seized control of the match early in the last quarter, and with the intention of maintaining some consistency and controlled aggression for next week’s match against Beaconsfield, pulled away from ROC to record a convincing 14-goal win.
Well done to Rachel Priestly for her BOC performance at goal shooter under extreme duress, to Melinda Williamson for her controlled game at goal attack, providing Priestly with numerous opportunities inside the goal circle with her explosive speed and elevation.
Cathy Leeves played another great game at wing attack, making life almost impossible for her shorter wing defence opponent, and providing plenty of drive onto the goal circle, and a strong target inside the attacking third.
Well done to Michelle Webster and Lauren Cherry for their accountability in defence at centre and wing defence, and also for their driving out of defence which placed enormous pressure on the ROC defenders.
Finally, well done to Jodie Bird and Kate McCowan for their rock solid performance at goal defence and goal keeper, creating numerous turn overs in and around the defensive circle with their agility and controlled aggression which seemed to rattle the ROC goalers.
With the win behind them, Pakenham will be looking to book their place in this year’s grand final against the more fancied, and undefeated Beaconsfield on Saturday.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:B GRADE
Pakenham B Grade girls played Beaconsfield in the first qualifying final at Pakenham. After last week’s loss to Beacy the Pakenham girls knew what they had to do and they were switched on from the first whistle.
With the weather clearing the girls moved the ball well down the court and fed the ball well into the ring to Toni Dart and Raegan O’Brien, who were confident in their goaling all day.
Erin Cunningham and Emily Hunt were solid in defence rebounding many missed shots and picking off the loose balls beautifully.
Great drive in the mid-court and some vital intercepts from Laura Christie, Kristie Colomb and Jessica Dart in the final quarter saw Pakenham grab a well-deserved win by four goals.
Pakenham 38 d Beaconsfield 34.
Best: E. Hunt.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:UNDER 15
On Sunday Pakenham under-15s took on Tooradin in the elimination final. Paige Roberts shot beautifully in goal attack and Courtney Egerton ran hard all day, playing in centre and goal defence for the most part of the day.
Unfortunately Tooradin played a much better brand of netball than the Pakenham girls.
Overall there has been strong development across the entire squad this year. In the end it was only the four teams that defeated Pakenham through the year that ended above Pakenham on the ladder.
The team looks forward to continuing their development in the Eastern League Challenge over the summer ready for the 2010 season.
Best: C. Edgerton, P. Roberts.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CLUB NOTES
Netball presentation night is Friday 9 October.
Thankyou for the support of all juniors and parents through 2009 season.
Please come along on Saturday and support the senior teams still working hard in the finals.
