The Blues had the better of the first quarter emerging ahead 2.5 (17) to 2.1 (13) but will rue a number of missed chances given the way the rest of the encounter unfolded.
“We started really well and our pressure was through the roof through the first sort of quarter and a half,” said Picola United coach Rhys Woodland.
“We just didn't quite capitalise on our opportunities that we did have, probably just a few shots on goal that we probably should have kicked and a few fumbles and dropped marks at crucial points.
“We definitely had our opportunities there and probably could have been a few more goals in front, which would have probably changed the mindset of the whole game but it wasn't to be and we sort of fell away a little bit after that.”
Katamatite wrested control of the game away in the second, holding Picola to a single behind and kicking three goals to open up 15-point lead at the half.
The trend continued in the third where the Tigers added three goals to two before the Blues were held scoreless in the fourth as the game finished Katamatite 10.8 (68) to Picola United 4.8 (32)
“They just stepped up their game, really tightened up around the stoppages, they've got a lot of big bodies in there around the footy,” Woodland said.
“They started to get on top around the contest in the middle and started getting the footy going their way we just weren't able to get the game back on our terms unfortunately.”
Blake Azzopardi was among the best for Picola once again, a consistent occurrence this season after he joined the club from Moulamein.
“Really loved having (Blake) come to the club he’s really fitted in really well,” said Woodland.
“He's at every function, and he's playing really good footy at the minute, too. He's got a great set of hands, an intercept sort of defender that can run off and create
“His disposals are unbelievable. He's probably one of their best kicks at the club now, and he's been unreal.”
Picola United, who slides to 2-3 for the season, hosts Katunga on Saturday, another in a stretch of games against the Blues potential competition for finals places.
“We just we need to get another win on the board,” Woodland said.
“We've got a fair few games in the next month that are going to be the teams that are going to be around us on the ladder, and we need to make sure we're knocking a few of them down.”
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Picola United fell by a similar margin in A-grade netball, with Katamatite taking the fixture 64-32.
It was a routine performance from the Tigers with the Blues falling behind by six at the main break, before the lead was extended to 15 by half-time.
Katamatite added eight goals to the advantage in the third period before extending the lead again in the fourth to win by 32 goals.
“There were some great passages of play that settled the first quarter nerves,” commented Jacinda Beard, who stood in as coach this week due to the unavailability of regular coach Annie Jorgensen.
“Credit to our defenders Sasha (Daniel) and Kim (McPherson), who worked tirelessly against accurate shooters all day.
“The girls can learn a lot from this week’s game to put into next week’s game.”
The Blues, who are 2-3 for the season, will face a 4-1 Katunga side this Saturday.
The Game
Scores
Picola United: 2.5, 2.6, 4.8, 4.8 (32)
Katamatite: 2.1, 5.3, 8.6, 10.8 (68)
Goals
Picola United: Cody Haub 2, Tom Daniel, Matthew Jorgensen
Katamatite: Mitchell Coleman 3, Dylan Flanagan 2, James Bellby, Toby Kopa, Liam McPherson, Mark Mills, Callan Aldridge
Best
Picola United: Brandon Byrne, Blake Azzopardi, Blake Jorgensen, Clinton Barnes, Daniel Maher
Katamatite: Toby Kopa, James Bellby, Liam McPherson, Ben Connolly, Liam Williams, Tom McNeill
