The Mighty SPS Claim Victory in Their First Netball Match of the Season

This afternoon, a familiar face brought a team from Radipole to Southill for our first netball match of the calendar year. We were delighted to welcome Mrs. Hill back to Southill as she kindly made the journey to challenge us on the netball court.

1st Quarter

Southill found their rhythm early in the first quarter, with Sonny, Olivia, and Lottie combining brilliantly. Their sharp passing and smart movement into space caused endless problems for Radipole’s defense. After several near-misses, Lottie’s quick pass into Olivia set her up perfectly, and she confidently scored Southill’s first point of the game.

Radipole struggled to make any impact in our defensive third due to the outstanding efforts of Taylor and Gurraag, whose goalkeeping and defending were second to none. In fact, Radipole didn’t register a single shot during the opening quarter, showcasing the strength of our defensive setup.

2nd Quarter

With positions rotated, Southill entered the second quarter determined to build on their early lead. It didn’t take long for our efforts to pay off. Gurraag and Taylor worked seamlessly up the court, delivering a precise pass to Sonny, who scored with confidence.

Sonny continued his scoring streak moments later, finding space inside the D after a clever pass from Gurraag to net Southill’s third goal. Radipole began to gain some momentum and made inroads toward our goal, but Harmony and Amy’s stellar defending thwarted their attempts.

This led to an impressive counter-attack: swift short passes and fluid off-the-ball movement saw the ball quickly transition up the court. Taylor finished the sequence in style, scoring just before the whistle to end the second quarter.

3rd Quarter

Another rotation and a change of ends didn’t dampen Southill’s focus. The team remained resolute, with Sonny and Lottie forming an impenetrable defensive partnership. This consistent defensive pressure allowed Harmony and Amy to shine in attack.

Their dynamic movement and positioning caused all kinds of headaches for Radipole, as Harmony netted three goals in a stunning display. Olivia and Amy’s creative passing around the D played a key role in opening up opportunities for Harmony to score, enabling Southill to secure a commanding lead heading into the final quarter.

4th Quarter

Determined to finish on a high, Southill maintained their intensity in the closing quarter. Gurraag, Taylor, and Amy demonstrated excellent teamwork, passing sharply in pockets of space to create a flurry of chances. While the team struggled to convert initially, Taylor and Gurraag’s perseverance paid off as each scored to extend the lead.

Despite the scoreline, Radipole’s resilience and teamwork were commendable. Their hard work was rewarded late in the game with a well-deserved goal following a clever pass into the D.

Final Score

Southill 9 – 1 Radipole

Scorers:

Olivia (1)
Sonny (2)
Taylor (2)
Harmony (3)
Gurraag (1)

As a new coach this year, it has been an absolute privilege to work with these talented children at netball club. Today was truly special, and it was wonderful to see the team play with such confidence and spirit.

A huge thank you to Mrs. Hill for bringing her Radipole team to face us, to the Southill spectators for their enthusiastic support, and, of course, to our incredible players for delivering such an entertaining and inspiring performance.

– Tom