Great Success for CMCB Netballers in Loddon Mallee Competition

07/08/2024

SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA: LODDON MALLEE REGIONAL FINALS

NETBALL

Year 7

The Catherine McAuley College Bendigo (CMCB) Year 7 girls played a total of four games in wet conditions. Their first game was against St Mary Mackillop College, Swan Hill. It was a close game with players trying to adapt to the weather conditions. They came away with a win, 12-7.

The next game was against Maryborough Education Centre, which CMCB won 17-5.

Their third game was against St Mary of the Angels Secondary College, Nathalia. The girls really started to gel, showing their versatility with a win 24-2. The last game for the day was against St Joseph’s College, Mildura, where they came away with another convincing win 21-4.

All ten players contributed to the successful day. The team now progresses to the State Finals in Melbourne later this term.

YEAR 7 NETBALL TEAM: Ruby Kelly, Forest Jackson- Leahy, Evie Gretgrix, Harper Gordon, Mila Childs, Milla Dalton, Ms Julie Fennell (Coach), Marlie Skinner, Ava Hope, Ellie Macumber, Elle Gilchrist, Sienna Raco

Year 8

The Year 8 Girls’ Division was split into two pools, with the winner of each pool playing off in the final. CMCB’s first game was against North Central Secondary College, St Arnaud. The girls adapted brilliantly to the slippery, wet conditions and dominated all over the court, winning 38 to 3. In the second game, the girls kept Robinvale scoreless with another convincing victory. The team continued their winning form in the third game against St Augustine’s College, Kyabram winning 36 to 3.

In the Grand Final, the team played against St Mary Mackillop College, Swan Hill. The girls had to quickly switch on as Mackillop really brought the challenge to them. At half-time, CMCB were ahead by two goals but, in tough, rainy conditions, it would come down to the team that looked after the ball and capitalised on their opportunities. The girls were able to do this and went on to win a fantastic match by four goals, meaning they will now represent the College at the State Final on Friday 6 September. Well done on an amazing team effort!

YEAR 8 NETBALL TEAM: Sophie McDermott, Eva Grant, Elodie Sharman, Molly Beasley, Lilly Teuma, Coach Hannah Gretgrix, Alexis Arundell, Tarli Nihill, Mia Cox, Imogen Brown, Macey Pinner

Junior Boys

The Year 8 boys were ready to go at the Loddon Mallee Regional Netball Tournament. With only one game standing between them and state finals, they were focused on getting the win. In rainy conditions the team came up against Rochester Secondary College, so a tough game was expected. Fortunately, the rain did not dampen the team’s enthusiasm, or their athletic ability. By quarter time the score was 7-1 and the boys were able to keep a solid lead all game. Charlie was brilliant as Goal Shooter, along with Jake and Carter rotating through Goal Attack. Jameson, Eli and Quin were consistent in their feeds to the goalers, and their hard work down the court. Paddy, Darcy and Nick kept the opposition from getting too close with some terrific intercepts and rebounds. Every single team member contributed extremely well to the win. A huge thanks to Tate for being our team scorer.

Thanks to Mrs Speed and Ms Pearce for organising the day. We look forward to representing the College at the State Final on Tuesday 3 September.

JUNIOR BOYS NETBALL TEAM: Carter Andrews, Eli Fennell, Patrick McNamara, Darcy Thorpe, Charlie Macumber, Nicholas Hietbrink, Jake Rosa, Quinlan Cody, Mrs Jessica Baird

Intermediate Girls

The Intermediate Girls Team came together on this day as a combined Years 9 and 10 team in order to get some valuable match play for the upcoming National Tournament in August. Their draw saw them in a 2-pool competition, with the two top teams in each pool to play off in the final to determine first and second, so the girls had to win their 2-pool matches to ensure that they qualified for the Final.

Game 1 was against St Joseph’s College, Mildura. It was a fantastic match with both teams playing some great netball. It was CMCB’s overall court harmony that saw them establish a lead early and maintain it across the four quarters. This delighted the coaches as it enabled them to rotate through several different player combinations. The girls went on to win Game 1, 22 to 15.

Game 2 was against St Mary Mackillop College, Swan Hill. This match was not too dissimilar to the first, with player rotations proving to be both effective and productive. It was terrific to see the team starting to gel well, as they once again established a good lead. This allowed the coaches to use the rotating sub rule to great effect. The 21 to 16 win saw the girls achieve their first goal, finishing top of their pool and hence qualifying for the Grand Final.

Game 3 for the day was the Grand Final against the team from Rochester Secondary College. They were a tough team and really took it up to the girls all match. With the rain falling consistently, the playing conditions were challenging, meaning that this was going to be a very tough game for its entirety. Throughout the match, no team could break away or establish any form of dominance, despite the varied rotations that took to the court. By the end of the four quarters it was an 11-all draw, resulting in five minutes of extra time being played each way. The lead changed constantly, but in the last minute it was CMCB who converted their opportunity and were able to hold out Rochester in the dying seconds to secure a fabulous 1-goal win. It was an incredible victory and all players should be proud of their effort and determination against tough and at times rough opposition. Congratulations girls, we wish you the very best of luck at the State Finals which are to be played in Melbourne on Monday 9 September.

INTERMEDIATE GIRLS NETBALL TEAM: Mrs Sharna Frawley (Coach), Juliet Hogan, Lexi Brennan, Ginger Hay, Lexie Fennell, Diana Napoleon, Mrs Belinda Pinner (Coach), Dempsey McDonnell, Charli McInerney, Charlize Pinder, Lilly Hope, Lexie Austen

Senior Girls

The Senior Girls were in a 4-team round robin competition, with the winner to be determined by whoever finished on top of the ladder after all games were played.

Game 1 against Cohuna Secondary College

The girls were fired up for Game 1 and completed a very solid warm up in chilly conditions. In a commanding performance, the team got off to a very strong start and by half time had established a comfortable lead, 16 goals to 7. The second half saw a lot of rotations with rolling subs in full swing and all ten players were able to take the court and contribute to a strong 28 to 18 win.

Game 2 against St Mary of the Angels (SMOTA)

This was built up to be a top-class match and CMCB started strongly and took charge, leading 11 goals to 5 at quarter time. Slowly, but surely, their opposition kept chipping away at the deficit and by three-quarter time CMCB held a slender 2-goal lead. In a frantic last quarter, unfortunately the girls lost their momentum and in the dying seconds SMOTA were able to snatch a 1-goal lead. This was a shattering and disappointing end to the match, but the girls’ match play for 99% of the game was outstanding, and proof that they have enormous ability as a team.

The girls headed into the lunch break disappointed, however they took the break as an opportunity to regroup and refocus for Game 3.

Game 3 against Maryborough Education Centre

Game 3 proved to be another tough match. Maryborough’s team had a lot of talent and, to add to the challenge, the rain was now coming down at a consistent rate. This additional layer of difficulty did not deter the team, who again played brilliantly which enabled all ten players to take to the court. Consistent scoring on the back of some exceptional transitional play from end to end saw the team establish a 10-goal to 1 lead in the first quarter. This lead grew in every quarter and it was a lovely display of top-class netball by the girls in very trying conditions. The team went on to secure another strong win, 29 goals to 15.

The girls did CMCB proud as they displayed tremendous sportsmanship and determination. They are to be admired for their never-say-die attitude and commitment to the team.

SENIOR GIRLS NETBALL TEAM: Mrs Clare Hope (Coach), Milana Whiteacre, Ciarah McDermott, Harriett Whiteacre, Ava Nihill, Sienna Eddy, Emarnee Davies, Telani Bibby, Jaida Raco, Neve Pinner, Dakota Keanelly, Tess Mills