Fast-starting North downs plucky Barmera

LOXTON North led at every change after a first quarter burst, beating Barmera 52-40 in Riverland Netball Association A1 action at Barmera Stadium on Friday night.

North was quick out of the blocks, with five goals in the opening minutes to Barmera’s one.

Loxton continued applying scoreboard pressure to lead by five at the first break.

Barmera was playing catchup netball in the second term, at one stage closing the margin to three goals.

North promoted Melody Pfeiler into goal shooter, a move that paid dividends as her team moved 11 goals clear at half-time.

Barmera’s night took a turn when young gun Ashleigh Haigh was forced to come off due to injury.

Barmera coach Shane Phillips’ quick rotations to keep on the attack moved Jenna Selfe in to goal shooter.

However, North’s Sara-Jane Wharton and Courtney Hume shut down Barmera’s goal circle, limiting Barmera to seven goals in the third term.

With Haigh returning to the game in the second half, Barmera almost matched the visitors, posting 10 goals to North’s 12 in the last quarter.

In the end, North was too strong and maintained its early buffer throughout the match.

In the other A1 game of the round, Renmark rode a strong fourth quarter to remain undefeated, picking up a seven-goal win against Loxton.

Renmark got the jump on Loxton in the first quarter, which featured fast, attacking play from both teams.

Renmark goal keeper Emma Stockman and goal defence Sonja Modlinski defended tightly, making several key intercepts in Loxton’s goal circle.

At the other end of the court, Lauren Collins and Zoe Siviour’s goal shooting was on point, moving Renmark ahead by four goals at the first break.

Loxton’s Emily Beaton upped the pressure in defence as the game went on, often forcing Renmark’s players into errors.

Loxton pounced on its opportunities up forward, slowly reeling in Renmark’s lead and levelling the scores at 44-all by three-quarter time.

In the last quarter, Renmark mixed up its attack, with Siviour moving from her regular position as goal shooter to goal attack.

Renmark’s defenders stepped up their pressure in the last five minutes, slowing Loxton’s scoring, which allowed the side to break away for a 64-57 win, and nailing an impressive 20 goals in the last term.

After five rounds, Renmark remain atop the ladder thanks to a perfect record, with Barmera and Loxton North separated by one point in second and third respectively, followed by Loxton in fourth and Berri in fifth.