Netball
A Grade
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A grade started slowly in the first quarter, trailing by three at the first break in their clash against North Wangaratta. From then on, the girls fought hard right until the final whistle.
Defence was as strong as ever, creating plenty of ball in hand opportunities, and the attackers rewarded the defenders’ efforts by converting on the scoreboard to come away with a strong 42-31 win.
Gertie McCallum was best on court, constantly finding herself in all the right positions, causing havoc in the defensive end before feeding beautifully into the goalers and remaining calm in attack.
Maddie Burgess had her best game of the season. Mads completely changed the momentum in attack, opening up the circle and combining brilliantly with her fellow shooters.
Eleanor Renkin also showcased her best performance of the year, doing everything asked of her. Eleanor carried the ball strongly into attack and worked tirelessly in defence to create turnovers.
The girls now look ahead to taking on Milawa this coming week in a big clash for sixth position on the ladder.
Score: Benalla 42 def North Wangaratta 31
Best: Gertie McCallum, Maddie Burgess, Eleanor Renkin
B Grade
Benalla All Blacks took on North Wangaratta in the heat of the day at home, and while the game did not go the way we’d hoped, there was certainly positive moments throughout the four quarters.
Keeley Sheehan defended hard for the entire game, getting much needed turnovers, rebounds and intercepts throughout the defensive-end and mid-court. Jemma Smith worked tirelessly all game, often being double teamed by North Wang’s tall defence. Jemma worked incredibly hard to still be an option and managing to gain possession despite the efforts of North Wang’s defence.
Kodi Mustey stepped up again this week from B Res and showed that she isn’t shy of contests. Kodi played a key role in mid-court in bringing the ball into the attacking end and utilising her patience to be a key feeder into the goalers.
Score: Benalla 25 def by North Wangaratta 35.
Best: Keeley Sheehan, Jemma Smith, Kodi Mustey
B Reserve
The Benalla All Blacks B Reserve side took to the court on Saturday against a strong North Wangaratta outfit. The opening quarter proved the sides were evenly matched, with both teams going goal for goal in an exciting start to the contest.
The attacking trio of Isabella Smith, Grace Morrison and Kodi Mustey were a force to be reckoned with, shooting at their most accurate level this season. Their pressure over the North Wang centre pass and defensive efforts down the court played a huge role in assisting the Benalla defence to force multiple turnovers.
Unfortunately, the second quarter slipped away from the All Blacks, allowing North Wang to build a handy lead heading into the main break.
The second half saw Benalla come out with renewed intensity, producing some of their best netball for the season. Defenders Ruby Allison, Greer Mitchell and Olive Moon applied relentless pressure in the ring, reading the play beautifully and contesting every shot. Their positioning and rebounding efforts kept the All Blacks in the fight throughout the second half.
Through the midcourt, Lexi Squires, Jasmine Smith and talented under-17 fill-ins Darcy Jackson and Libby Renkin were instrumental. Their strong passages of play and smooth ball transition down the court created plenty of opportunities for the attacking end.
Despite the All Blacks’ determination and improved performance, North Wang proved too strong, running away with a 46-29 victory. While the result didn’t fall Benalla’s way, the girls showed significant improvement and played some of their best netball yet this season.
Score: Benalla 29 def by North Wangaratta 46
Best: Kodi Mustey, Isabella Smith, Ruby Allison
Under-17s
The under-17s had a slow start against North Wangaratta and struggled to find consistency throughout the game, with only glimpses of the standard of netball the team is capable of. The girls lifted their intensity in the third quarter and showed some really good passages of play, but fell away again midway through the last quarter to go down 29-35.
Alicia Langlands was best on court, attacking the ball hard all day and delivering strong passes through the midcourt. She competed hard from start to finish and really had a crack all game.
Charlotte Burden showed plenty of grit and determination, competing strongly at every contest from the moment she stepped onto the court.
Amali Mackenzie also continued her consistent improvement with another solid performance and is developing well each week.
Score: Benalla 29 def by North Wangaratta 35
Best: Alicia Langlands, Charlotte Burden, Amali Mackenzie
Under 15s
The Benalla All Blacks under-15s side played a fantastic game this week, putting together a strong four-quarter performance.
The first half saw strong attack from goalers Lola Crook and Harper Robertson, with beautiful movement and feeding from Lilly Hazell, Olivia Mullaly and Sharni Hughes. In defence, Sophia Young, Kayla Woodhams and Lara McConachy worked tirelessly, rebounding strongly and creating multiple turnovers to transition the ball back into attack.
Lola Crook earned the Harley’s Pizza Award for her strength in attack and versatility on the court, while Harper Robertson received the McDonald’s Benalla/All Blacks Club Award for her performance in goal attack, moving beautifully and communicating strongly throughout the game.
Sharni Hughes was awarded the Spot 4 Icecream Award for her four-quarter effort in centre, applying fantastic defensive pressure across the court and delivering brilliant feeds into attack.
Once again, it was a fantastic performance from the young Panthers, who look forward to building on this game at training this week.
Score: Benalla 69 def North Wangaratta 21
Awards: Harley’s Pizza Award - Lola Crook, McDonald’s Benalla/All Blacks Club Award - Harper Robertson, Spot 4 Icecream Award - Sharni Hughes
Football
Seniors
After a disappointing first half where the Panthers struggled to get going and appeared well off the pace, the second half showed exactly the brand of football the group is capable of producing against North Wangaratta.
Following the main break, Riley Kego’s move into the ruck proved pivotal, giving midfield stars Dylan Sinclair, Sam Cox and David Button first use around the contest. The Panthers lifted their intensity, ball movement and pressure, taking the game right up to the Hawks for much of the second half.
The exciting pace of young wings Spencer Hunter and Jaxon Brunner continued to shine, providing plenty of run and carry, while key forward Jordan Smith again showed why he is so highly rated with a strong presence up forward.
While the scoreboard didn’t reflect the Panthers’ improved second-half performance, the side will take plenty of confidence out of the way they responded after half time. Had they capitalised more efficiently on forward entries, the Panthers could easily have claimed the second half.
All roads now lead to Milawa next Saturday, with several players hopeful of returning from injury to strengthen the line-up.
Score: Benalla 7.6 (48) def by North Wangaratta 30.22 (202)
Awards: Harry Brown-Dylan Sinclair, Royal Hotel - Sam Cox, Benalla Racing Club - David Button
Reserves
The Benalla All Blacks reserves were outplayed by a polished North Wangaratta outfit, going down by 105 points in a demanding contest. Benalla was up against it early with injuries beginning to pile up, being reduced to 14 players by half time.
North Wang controlled the game and maintained pressure throughout.
Benalla battled all day and the All Blacks never dropped their heads despite being undermanned for the entirety of the contest, Jordan Smith leading the way as best on ground.
Strong efforts and consistent tackle pressure from Campbell Drury and Dylan Bell stood out on a tough day.
Awards: Tyrepower - Jordan Smith, Sportspower - Dylan Bell, Golf Club - Campbell Drury