Seniors
This week, the Panthers boys travelled to North Wangaratta to take on the Hawks.
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The boys started well, as they have done in most games this year.
Regularly winning centre clearances and applying pressure around the ball to give themselves multiple scoring opportunities.
The forward pressure was down from the boys, which allowed some easy transition goals to the home side, and some missed kicks from kick-ins gifted the Hawks a few easy goals.
The second quarter was similar, with good pressure. The work rate and effort was up, with good ball control, forcing the home team to adjust at the main break.
North Wangaratta came out after half-time with a high work rate and really tested the undermanned Panthers, but to their credit, the boys continued to crack in, work as a team and drive the standard.
The boys are making good progress week by week, considering the growing injury list.
Jordan Smith and Sam Cox both scored two goals playing in the midfield. The backline worked hard all day and really started to apply the game plan that has been trained.
Final score: North Wangaratta 24.13.157 defeated Benalla All Blacks 7.6.48.
Awards:
Royal Hotel Award: Jordan Smith
Sportspower: Sam Cox
Benalla Golf Club: David Button
A Grade netball
Saturday’s match-up against North Wangaratta was pencilled in to be a tough hit-out and it didn’t disappoint.
With co-coach Georgia Spencer back in after five weeks out of action, Benalla hit the court with a full roster and was keen to take home its second win of the season.
Our girls came out firing, prizing every possession, and looked like a well-oiled machine from one end to the other, finishing the first half leading 27-17.
Making no changes to the line-up all day, the girls worked tirelessly in warm and extremely taxing conditions.
One thing we have strived for is to string together consistent quarters, which we managed to do on Saturday, winning all four quarters.
Mikaylah Lessing had another standout performance, getting her hands on every ball and being an asset coming down the court, linking the ball to the attack end.
Elyse Felstead had a huge day out as she played her 100th game for The All Blacks.
Elyse had a ripper game in GK, taking massive rebounds, getting multiple tips and being a rest option when needed.
Captain Meagan Hausner had another quality performance, running out all four quarters in the centre where she endured plenty of physicality and still managed to be a standout, offering assistance all across the court. A huge team effort saw Benalla win 46-31.
Awards:
Royal Hotel: Mikaylah Lessing
Stella Stella: Elyse Felstead
Benalla Racing Club: Meagan Hausner
B Grade
Awards:
Royal Hotel: Jemma Smith
Stella Stella: Amber McIntyre
Sportspower: Rebecca Wrest
This week we took a trip up the highway to take on North Wangaratta.
Jemma Smith had a standout game in GS, working hard in the ring with the GAs to present target after target for the attackers. When North Wang was in possession, Jem’s pressure over the ball earned her great turnovers.
Amber McIntyre had another strong game in C with effort after effort to be an option for her team and some tenacious defence across the court. Down the defensive end, the girls worked tirelessly all day, Rebecca Wrest put in another solid effort this week with her relentless efforts at the ball and never-give-up attitude.
Despite the team’s effort across the court, North Wang was too good on the day and came away with the win. North Wangaratta 65 defeated Benalla 33.
Under 17s
Awards:
Sportspower: Keira Brown
Harley’s Pizza: Emma Snell
Spot 4 Icecream: Alicia Langlands
The under 17s came out firing, with our goalers sinking shot after shot, our defenders getting intercepts and rebounds galore and our mid-courters having seamless passages of play.
The game saw everyone in the team have a standout game, with it being difficult to pick awards for the day.
Our plays and connections down the court have started to really come together, with a knowledge of where our teammates will be starting to take shape.
Keira Brown worked tirelessly in the goal ring with Torah Heeps, with both girls putting on a standout performance in the circle. The movements and passes between the two allowed them to put themselves in the best position to score, leading to our highest score for the season.
Emma Snell and Alicia Langlands brought the ball down with ease into the attacking end. The two worked well together, continuously reoffering, releading and chasing up every loose ball.
Despite the massive effort from our Under 17s they went down to North Wangaratta 44-25.
Under 15s
Awards:
Ilka Cunneen, Tahlia Humphrey and Sharni Hughes.
Up against second-placed North Wangaratta, the under 15s knew they had to start their game strong!
Our attacking end worked beautifully together throughout the whole game with Ruby Crook and Darcie Jackson feeding beautifully to our goalers Lola Crook and Harper Robertson.
Ilka Cunneen had an awesome game, showing her versatility being put into wing defence for her height and then back into goal attack and opening up space in the ring.
Our defence worked tirelessly all game, with Olivia McKenzie and Sharni Hughes sticking tight to their opponents, intercepting and turning over the play.
Tahlia Humphrey also had a fantastic game, reading the ball well and picking off passes throughout the game.
Sharni Hughes moved the ball beautifully out of defence as well as putting into practice all the things we had been working on at training.
Final Score North Wang 27 defeated Benalla 22.
The young Panthers should be beyond proud of their performance. It is great to see their confidence and their ability to play competitive netball grow each week.
Benalla Ensign