In a highly competitive match-up, the Hampden Bottle Greens have registered a convincing victory over the Ballarat Netball League in their AFL Victoria Community Championships clash.
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The game started with a flurry. The first quarter saw both teams swap the lead multiple times as goal shooters Jordyn Bibby (Ballarat) and Amy Wormald (Hampden) both used their size down low to produce scoring opportunities.
Ballarat goal keeper Beth Smith was putting together a strong defensive effort, getting her hand to the ball with regularity but good movement from the Bottle Greens produced goals early to hold a 15-12 lead going into the first break.
The second quarter was similar to the first, with Wormald continuing her dominance. Her shooting touch was only match by her ability to follow up misses and capitalise on second chance opportunities.
Ballarat coach Micheal Saker told The Courier despite Wormald's performance he was please with the play of his defenders.
"I thought our defenders Beth (Smith), Emma (Church) and Kara (Hart) gave us plenty of opportunities and we moved the ball quickly," he said.
"(Wormald) is a big girl and we probably were a little undersized but full credit to Beth (Smith) who played on her, she followed her instructions perfectly."
At the end of the day I don't think the score reflected the result, the girls played a great game of netball.
- Ballarat interleague coach Michael Saker
In the mid-court Ballarat was doing their best to mount a come-back, reducing the deficit to one-goal before Hampden extended their lead to six at half-time.
Ballarat came out in the third quarter with a different look as Bibby sat the quarter out to rest and captain Kara Hart moved from wing defence to centre. They showed strong defensive pressure but were unable to get ahead of the Bottle Greens, remaining six-goals behind at the end of the term.
The fourth quarter opened with some aggressive play from Ballarat goal attack Poppy Douglas who showed off her shooting range with four early goals. It would not be enough as the quick ball movement and size of Hampden would prove too much for Ballarat, ultimately winning 55-44.
Wormald was named best on court for the game.
Saker said his side played a good game but was let down by their own impatience.
"I think we just needed to show a little more patience and make easy entries to our goals," he said.
"At times we got a bit too over-excited in dumping the ball inside when there probably should have been an extra pass."