THE Stawell Warriors have upset Horsham Saints to keep the battle for fifth spot alive with two rounds remaining in the Wimmera Netball Association.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 50-38 win was set up by the Warriors’ accurate shooting.
The 12-goal half-time lead reflected how well shooters from either side took advantage of of their opportunities.
Saints had only four shots less than the Warriors across the half but the accuracy of Jemma Clarkson and Ebony Summers proved decisive.
Between the two, they only missed three shots to that point. Stawell coach Toni Stewart was rapt her side won.
“I think the girls are starting to believe in themselves a little bit more,” she said.
“If the team continues to work well together I’m confident they can do well.”
Stewart attributed the win to good defensive play.
“We were a lot tighter across the whole court,” she said. The defensive pressure resulted in the ball being held up a lot more.
The win leaves Stawell one game adrift of the Saints in sixth, but the Warriors have the superior percentage.
The Saints play the association’s top two sides in the last two rounds.
Stawell will play Nhill on Saturday before facing a tough game against the Horsham Demons to finish the season.
“Horsham will be tough to finish with, but to play finals we need to compete with sides like them,” Stewart said.
In other matches Stawell’s B Grade team went down to Horsham Saints.
Stawell had enough opportunities, but failed to make the most of them.
Stawell will sit out again this weekend with Nhill failing to field a B Grade side.
Stawell has met Nhill twice in the last month resulting in just two games prior to the finals campaign.
Saints defeated Stawell in C Grade.
In the junior teams Stawell under 17s was the only team not to defeat Horsham Saints.
Stawell provided a gallant fight back to get within eight goals. Bonnie McIlvride, Dana Allen and Tarnee Orr were the three best players.
In the under 15A’s, a strong third-quarter effort saw Warriors post a close win over Saints. At half time Stawell was four goals down, but rallied to eventually win, 39 to 33.
Under 15Bs won by 19 goals and the under 13s kept its record intact with a strong win.
Jaz Warren, Bridget McGuckian, Madi Taylor, Danieka Clayton and Inika Shalders were the best players for their respective teams.
