Hotly contested: Picola and Mathoura players jostle for possession in the Timbercutters’ goal-ring. Photos: Josh Huntly
The Timbercutters have two wins on the spin to start the 2023 season.
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Mathoura is off to a flying start in Picola District Netball League A-grade, notching a second straight win in an Easter weekend showdown with Picola United.
The Timbercutters backed up their round one rout of Katamatite with a seven-goal victory over the Blues last Saturday, taking a 43-36 win over the 2022 finalists.
But it was United that capitalised on Mathoura’s slow start, earning a three-goal lead at the first break with Zara Retallick and Kim McPherson leading the way.
“We got off to a slow start,” Mathoura coach Kat Wippel said.
“The weather wasn’t helpful to us at all and Picola put up a good fight.”
Needing a spark, the Timbercutters shifted the names on the whiteboard, moving Tegan Wanganeen into attack alongside Kate Downward, while the injection of mid-courter Laura Hudson completely changed the complexion of the clash.
On the move: Bec McCluskey looks down court for an option.
“We made a couple of changes and put Teagan (Wanganeen) into goal shooter with Kate Downward,” Wippel said.
“They started gelling and we came away with the win.
“Laura Hudson played an incredible game. We popped her on-court in the second quarter and she just changed the dynamic of the playing group.
“She controlled the game, basically.”
Cutting through traffic: Mathoura moves the ball down the court.
The Timbercutters held United at bay for the second half, handing the Blues their second straight defeat to start the season.
Mathoura will come into the round three clash against Jerilderie on top of the ladder, but will be without Downward, who suffered what appeared to be a season-ending injury in the fourth quarter.
“We did lose Kate in the last quarter to an Achilles injury, which is no good,” Wippel said.
“We’ve got a good group that can play several positions on the court.”
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