BRENDAN LINES
A SECOND-quarter goal-shooting clinic helped North complete a 37-goal demolition of South in the Riverland netball’s ‘North versus South’ curtain raiser on Friday night.
The Riverland’s latest crop of junior talent was on show ahead of the Thunderbirds’ preseason Mighty Murray clash with West Coast Fever.
Coach Anne Noack said the combined team of Renmark, Berri and Barmera under 17 players came together after limited preparation.
“The girls that I had were absolutely wonderful,” she said.
“We only had one training. Even then we still had one missing.
“We just tidied a few things up with tactics and strategies.
“But they were so skilful.”
North took control of the game early with repeat forward entries set up by its attacking combination of centre Charlie Gates (Berri) and Ashley Haigh (Barmera).
North was just warming-up when establishing a nine-goal lead at quarter time.
In the second North piled on 12 unanswered goals mid-way through the quarter.
South was forced to earn each one of its four second-quarter goals.
North’s defence lead by Paris Lawrie (Barmera), pushed South’s winger Talita De Wet wide of its goal circle at every opportunity.
Haigh and shooter Zoe Siviour (Renmark) continued the onslaught, shooting 19 goals for the quarter.
Noack said the pair showed a good “understanding” of each other’s game.
Siviour’s height controlled any high balls, while Haigh’s gritty in-and-under work around the goal front complemented the pair.
South showed some confidence in its ball movement, with goal attack Tahlia Drogemuller stringing together three consecutive goals in the third quarter.
North closed out the final quarter with nine goals as Haigh had the final say, shooting a goal on the siren.