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TOUGH TEST: Mansfield Eagles netballers took the courts to play five contested games against the Tigers at Rochester last weekend. PHOTO: Paul Martin

Mansfield Eagles take on the Tigers at Rochester

A GRADE

Mansfield 29 defeated by Rochester 61

Best on court sponsored by Foodworks - Grace Hood

Coaches award sponsored by Byrne Seed Australia - Ellie Kipping

WITH the long trip to Rochester, Mansfi eld took the court to play a contested game against the Tigers.

Bella Riley got the fi rst centre pass, leading with Cassie Dolling to work in and around the ring providing endless passes to the goalies Ellie Kipping and Meg Mahoney.

They shot one aft er the other, starting a goal-forgoal quarter leading to a close fi rst term of 13-17.

Second quarter had Rochester coming out fi ring, making Grace Hood and Nelle Cousins work twice as hard to keep the Tiger’s scoring to a minimum.

With one half down the girls went back on court, with Molly Rekers debuting in her fi rst A Grade game and playing an amazing quarter (to no surprise), and Dempsey Parsons being a tough defender whilst also getting the ball down from the defence end seamlessly. Though the girls fought hard, we couldn’t get over the line, but we are fi red up to prove our worth next week!

B GRADE

Mansfield 29 defeated by Rochester 53

Best on Court sponsored by Mansfi eld Golf Club - Joey Bailey

Coaches award sponsored by Mansfi eld Subway - Tyla Ciarma

IN the fi rst quarter the girls came out fi ring and challenged Rochester to what was potentially one of our better starts for the season.

It was really great to have such hard work and determination down both ends of the court and throughout the centre and to keep within the contest by only trailing by four at quarter time.

With constant battle between the two teams and consistent turnovers at both ends, unfortunately Rochester ran away with the scoreboard in the second and third quarter.

However, in the fi nal quarter we gathered some of that energy we maintained in the fi rst quarter, despite some avoidable errors that we will be able to work on this week and keep moving forward within our game.

It was refreshing to see, although the scoreboard didn’t refl ect it, that we were competitive and capable in the quarters we were giving one hundred per cent.

If we can maintain that energy going forward I’m sure there will be much better results to follow soon.

B RESERVE

Mansfield 50 defeated Rochester 40

Best on court sponsored by Joanne Holt - Leonie Berry

Coaches Award sponsored by Mansfi eld Subway - Robbie Robinson

ON a very crisp day in Rochester, Mansfi eld were determined to make sure this long trip was worth it.

With our Captain Caz sunning herself in Thailand, Robbie Robinson stepped in as Captain and did not disappoint, taking the fi rst intercept of the day within 20 seconds.

Alongside our very versatile Sarah Anderson this duo was ably supported by Leonie Berry and Alison Estlake, and together they made the Rochester attack work overtime all match.

Through the mid court Stacey Doig was driving hard onto the goal circle and supplied some great balls into goalers Sue Dolling and Michelle Kain.

With their quick goaler-to-goaler passes, Rochester’s defence were left with their heads spinning in circles.

The fi rst quarter was high scoring by both teams but Mansfi eld remained in control taking an early lead.

To Rochester’s credit they took to the court in the second quarter with a point to prove and started to play some smart netball with Mansfi eld having to reassess their game at half time.

Coach Mich Kain and assistant coach Dempsey Parsons willed the team to lift their intensity and voice going into the third quarter and with Annie Edwards and Jess Dolling coming on to mix things up, the game was back in our control with Mansfi eld dominating and scoring 15 to Rochester’s seven.

With a bit of breathing space and dare we say fi nals in our sights, Mansfi eld took this opportunity to make some positional changes in the fi nal quarter to try some new combinations and were able to take the win comfortably by 10 goals.

UNDER 17S

Mansfield 27 defeated by Rochester 58

Best on court sponsored by O’Malleys Pizza - Jess Dolling

Coaches award sponsored be Mansfi eld Subway - Isabelle Byrne

THE under 17 girls stepped onto court unknown how the game would turnout.

Our main goals for the game was to get the talk up out there and support each other.

Our defenders Mia Ciarma and Brooke Kipping worked effi ciently stopping many of the feeds into the ring.

This continued to work once Chloe Judge was swapped in there as well.

Molly Dunn, Jess Dolling and Isabelle Byrne work the ball down the court to where Jamie Davis and Tahlia Middleton could put shots up.

During the game Zoe Greene also took to the court aft er being away and got many tips and intercepts.

However, Rochester took a lead against us and we were unable to catch up.

UNDER 15S

Mansfield 20 defeated by Rochester 29

Best on court sponsored by Cafe 41 - Ava Mahoney

Coaches award sponsored by Mansfi eld Subway - Remy Stevenson

IT was a close game for the under 15 Eagles this week up against the Rochie Tigers.

The girls kept the scores close all the way through to about half time.

We went into the game keen with a strong side.

The team brought some great defensive pressure resulting in many turnovers.

And our off ence side did well delivering the ball down the court and into the goalers.

The fi nal scores defi nitely didn’t refl ect how we went against such a strong side sitting two places above us on the ladder.

Good job to all the Eagles teams and hope we can come home with a win next time.