KALKEE pulled off a stunning wet-weather comeback against Natimuk United on Saturday to stay in Horsham District netball top five contention.
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The Kees were held goal-less in the opening term as the Ewes opened up a nine-goal advantage.
Natimuk United’s Kirby Knight, who led the league in goals scored last season, is consistently the Ewes’ biggest scoring threat, but it was her sister Ashlee who helped the team get an early lead.
Ashlee scored four goals to Kirby’s five in the opening term.
It was clear Kalkee needed a change to get back into the game, and the McAuliffe sisters provided it.
Mikayla’s move to goal attack sparked the Kalkee offense, and Aily provided run through the middle of the court.
The Kees outscored Natimuk United 8-4 in the term to be within five goals at the main break.
As wet conditions took their toll in the third term, Kalkee defender Paula Wiedermann locked down on Kirby Knight to keep her to just one goal in the second half.
The final term was an arm-wrestle, with neither side able to break free by more than one or two goals.
When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read Kalkee 19 d Natimuk United 18.
Kees coach Rachel Thomson said it was a confidence-building victory for her side.
“We were down nine goals in the first quarter in a low-scoring game, but we didn’t panic,” she said.
“We’ve lost to the top two teams, but if we can get wins against Pimpinio and Noradjuha-Quantong in the next two weeks, we think we can challenge for top three.”
Laharum continued amassing a huge percentage with a win against Swifts at the weekend.
The Mountain Maids’ unbeaten start to the year has now extended to five games.
They won every quarter as they cruised to a 58-19 win.
Caitlin Story and Kayla Hawker did the damage in goals for the Mountain Maids, but coach Emma Uebergang was the best player on the court in wing defence.
Swifts’ two best players Kaitlyn Ralph and Melinda Beal were used in a variety of positions. Edenhope-Apsley jumped into second place with a 56-32 victory against Pimpinio.
The slumping Tigers dropped their third straight game, with Saints Emma Forster and Courtney Trigg dominating the midcourt.
Kylie Helyar’s 12 goals gave Pimpinio something to smile about, and Brianna Luciani was also among the best players.
Reigning premier Harrow-Balmoral also kept a clean sheet in 2014 by dismantling Taylors Lake 57-18. Amy Lewis was superb with 46 goals, taking the lead in league goal-scoring from Natimuk United’s Kirby Knight.
Grace Howden was named the Lakers’ best performer.
Noradjuha-Quantong staked its claim for a top five berth by beating Rupanyup 68-28.
Jodie and Lana Hayes were Rupanyup’s best, and Chloe Anson’s work in defence netted her best-on-court honours for the Bombers.