The Swans and Cats finished all square after four quarters of netball.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
From the first whistle to the last an hour of netball could not separate Shepparton Swans and Mooroopna.
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In round 13 of the Goulburn Valley League season, Mooroopna was a widespread favourite as an 11-1 side facing the Swans with a negative win-loss ratio of 5-7.
But the Swans found a way to declaw the Cats at Princess Park.
Through sharp shooting in Jaylah Meda and Sophie Atkinson, the Swans held the advantage at quarter-time, 14-12.
However, with Ash Lancaster at the opposing goal circle, the Cats could never be rid from the contest.
Lancaster scored four of the first five goals in the second term to produce a Mooroopna lead, but Meda began to net shots of her own to keep the game on even terms.
The back-and-forth shootout continued through the term – and to summarise the closeness of the A-grade epic, the Swans and Cats recorded 10 lead changes in the first half alone, as neither side could find an edge to pull away.
But following the main break huddle the class of the Cats seemed to impose itself.
Lancaster took control and grew Mooroopna’s lead to a game-high four goals, with a late shot by Meda marking a three-goal advantage for the navy blue and white at the final break.
But the Swans hadn’t come this far just to come this far.
While Meda had the led the scoring for the Swans with 28 goals, Atkinson stepped up with the game on the line, scoring eight of her 19 goals in the final quarter, including the Swans’ last five of seven for the match.
Lancaster produced a potential sealer to establish a three-goal lead with three minutes remaining, but Atkinson and Meda chipped back with an unanswered streak to tie the contest.
With no more than 60 seconds remaining, a fatiguing Lancaster carrying the shooting load of her Cats netted one final shot to try to heave her side over the line, but out from the centre restart, Atkinson was afforded an opportunity before the final whistle, tying the game with seconds left to tie the contest at 47-apiece.
Shepparton Swans' Harriet Gall spots a pass across the court.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Swans' Jaylah Meda starred as a shooter in the draw.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Swans' Harriet Gall breaks clear.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Mooroopna's Rhani Hendy and Amani Issell surround Shepparton Swans' Harriet Gall.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Swans' Jana Riordan gets the counterattack moving.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Mooroopna's Caitlin McLachlan stays alert on Shepparton Swans' Sophie Atkinson.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Mooroopna's Amani Issell fires an inbound pass.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Swans' Kate Betson and Mooroopna's Bree Hanslow hold their ground.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Mooroopna's Amani Issell makes an intercept.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The draw sees Mooroopna slip to third on the ladder following wins to Echuca and Euroa at the weekend, while the Swans hold eighth, outside of the top six by two premiership points.
The Magpies’ win came in convincing fashion against Mansfield, winning the Standpipe Cup for a fourth straight time 69-42, while the Murray Bombers were prolific against Tatura, winning 67-38.
Shepparton has re-entered the top six after a 10-goal win over Shepparton United, bumping the Eagles out of the equation after the result.
Seymour defeated Benalla 74-18 and Rochester beat Kyabram 83-29 in the league’s other results.
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