Coby Morgan leaps to intercept a pass in the Three Jacks A-grade fixture between Moama and Echuca United. Photos: Aidan Briggs
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Moama and Echuca United battled in A-grade netball in round nine, as both sides looked to help their club claim the Three Jacks Trophy.
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Moama dominated the opening round clash at Moama Recreation Reserve, but United was returning to full strength after an injury-hit early part of the season and was hoping to make a statement about its potential.
It was a tense encounter from the outset, with the Eagles maintaining pace with the Magpies in the midcourt, but a shaky shooting start left them trailing 11-9 after one quarter.
Madison Egglestone looks to adavnce the ball inside the goal ring.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Conversely Moama shooters Hannah Richards and Lisa Drysdale were sinking shots with regularity, and the pair’s height often allowed it to recover the rare miss that did eventuate.
Hannah Richards lines up a shot for Moama.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
The battle continued in the second and, while United found its shooting stride, Moama continued to be just a little bit better across the court, extending its lead to seven by half-time.
This trend held true through the final two quarters, as Moama edged further away by 12 at three-quarter time and eventually took the game 53-35.
“I was really happy with how we played,” Moama coach Olivia Taverna said.
“I think they were coming out hard the whole four quarters, but I think we really kept our cool, kept our consistency.
“We’ve got a few out this week, we had three out, so a fairly new side for us, so to come out and play like that when it's new combinations is really good to see.”
Emily Cossar sets to fire a pass forward.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
When the clubs last met in round one, Moama amassed a monster 63-goal victory, so to see a margin in the teens was an encouraging sign for United coach Tanner Edwards.
“I think that's a real positive for us to take out,” she said.
“In saying that, not the outcome that we wanted, obviously, a win would have been even better, but it's those small little wins that we take and from that first game to that game today.
“It was a huge improvement.”
Lisa Drysdale was best-on-court for Moama.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Moama maintained its place in the top group of sides in the Murray Netball League, one of three sides with a 7-2 record.
The Magpies are expected to have their full squad available this week when they match up with Cobram (2-6-1)
Georgia Richards searches for a passing option.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
“I think it will be still a good game to do our systems and work on what we need to work on,” Taverna said.
“We've got a lot to improve on as most teams would at this point in the season, so don't take that game lighthearted at all.
“(We’ll) come out and give it our best shot.”
Echuca United coach Tanner Edwards launches out of court to create a passing lane.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Meanwhile, United’s (1-7-1) improved roster will be put to the test again as it takes on one of the league’s better sides in Finley (7-2).
“I guess Finley is that bit unknown for us seeing that they beat Tonny last week not just by a little bit but quite a lot,” Edwards said.
“I think that just makes us dig a bit deeper. Saying that we can’t be too complacent going into next week.
“We play them at home over there, but it's a full squad for us hopefully again next week, and we're just continually building from now.”
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