Jazmin Clark was named best-on court for Tongala after a consistent four-quarter effort. Photos: Aidan Briggs
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
It was a second loss in three matches for Tongala’s A-grade netball side, with the defending premier going down to Finley in round eight of Murray Netball League on Saturday.
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Tongala Recreation Reserve hosted the clash where the Blues never really got going against a tenacious Cats side, quickly falling to a 7-14 deficit by quarter-time.
Finley added to the lead in the second period, leading by 13 goals at the main break.
The champions fought back in the third period to draw within nine goals at the three-quarter interval.
However, the Cats were too strong, winning the third quarter by 11 goals to take the match 62-44.
Tongala's Chelsey Wright leaps to break up the pass intended for Finley's Milly Op't Hoog.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
“It was definitely far from our best performance and Finley took advantage of that,” Tongala coach Grace Hammond said.
“A lot to build on if we want to push deep into finals this year, but half-way through the season (it’s) not a bad thing to have things to work on.
“Credit to Finley, they came out firing and I don’t think at any stage we were actually beating them, so they came out firing and held on to that and played a nice game of netball.”
Hammond feels that her team’s defensive effort has been lacking at times this season and is looking for all seven players to put in a defensive shift on the court.
Coach Grace Hammond identified areas for improvement after Tongala was downed by Finley.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
“Defensive efforts from all seven players on the court was definitely our strength last year and I think that's probably something we are lacking this year,” she said.
“Our pressure and our voice that's probably the biggest thing we need to work on and then just playing a possession game of netball and not making little errors and wasting the ball.
“Nothing major that can't be fixed, we just need to really knuckle down and focus on those key points and hopefully that can get us playing our best netball again and playing the brand that we want to play.”
Milly Brock lines up a shot.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Jazmin Clark, the Blues’ new goal attack this year, was awarded best-on-court after maintaining her level throughout the contest.
“She had a positive attitude all day and probably played a consistent game for us whereas the rest of us came in and out in patches, but Jaz just did her role for the day and stuck to what she needed to do,” Hammond said.
Finley’s Daisy Daniel looks for a teammate.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
The result changes the complexion of the Murray league this season, with things becoming congested at the top of the table.
Rumbalara continues to lead the way and is a perfect 8-0 on the year.
Tongala, which previously had an edge on the competition as the next best side, has now been drawn into a group of four 6-2 teams that includes Finley, Moama and this week’s opposition, Nathalia.
Finley’s Kate Purtill looks to move the ball into the goal circle.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
The Blues handled the Purples 44-29 in round one, but Nathalia has lost only once since that meeting, and on this occasion the clash will take place on its home court at Nathalia Recreation Reserve.
“We definitely need to play a better game than we did yesterday that's for sure, Hammond said.
“We know that we can play a good brand of netball and we know we do have strong connections within the team to be able to do so, it's just a matter of training well this week and working out where we're at as a side and coming out hungrier Saturday against Nathalia.”
Elsewhere, Rumbalara extended its unbeaten run to eight after beating Cobram 56-25 and Deniliquin proved too strong for Echuca United, winning 61-35.
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