Sport
6 June, 2024
Netballers a Power-ful force
MID-way through the 2024 season, Kolora Noorat’s A grade netball side is sitting fourth on the Warrnambool District ladder.
The Power has chalked up six wins from nine rounds and now sits a game clear of the fifth-placed Timboon Demons.
According to senior coach Laura Bourke, the team is “happy” where its currently sitting but is eager to climb the ladder in the coming weeks.
“Having lost the elimination final to Timboon last season we’re eager to go even deeper into finals this year,” Bourke said.
“I’m thrilled with how the team has been performing. Even though we lost four players from last year we’ve been able to introduce some new faces and those who’ve stepped up from the juniors are really taking advantage of every opportunity.”
Bourke made special mention of under 17 player Matilda Curran, who enjoyed her first A grade game last weekend and made an impact from the first whistle.
“Matilda is a tall, strong, accurate shooter who really made the difference for us on Saturday," Bourke said.
“I’d been watching her in the 17s for a few weeks and decided to give her a run last weekend. She grabbed the opportunity and really performed exceptionally well – it gives us another option in the goal circle.”
Sisters Nellie and Ella Sadler have also proven themselves in the top grade, with both showing plenty of ability and versatility in defence and across the court.
The side will enjoy this weekend’s league bye and will face the ninth-placed South Rovers in round 10, fresh from a nine-goal victory over Russells Creek last weekend.
Netball results from last weekend were as follows:
A grade: Kolora Noorat defeated Russells Creek 46-37.
A reserve: Russells Creek defeated Kolora Noorat 49-25.
B grade: Russells Creek defeated Kolora Noorat 42-23.
17 and under: Kolora Noorat defeated Russells Creek 44-26.
15 and under: Russells Creek defeated Kolora Noorat 27-18.
13 and under: Russells Creek defeated Kolora Noorat 21-16.
While the Power netballers enjoyed a win in A grade and the 17 and under games, the senior and reserve footballers both went down to Russells Creek.
In the senior game last Saturday, the Power struggled from the first bounce against the in-form Russells Creek who bounded out to a quick 31-point lead by the end of the opening term.
By half-time the lead had extended to 40 points before the Power was restricted to just one major in the third term - while the home side booted a further 5.4.
The final quarter was the strongest for Kolora Noorat, who regrouped and played attacking football to add 5.1 to the scoreboard.
Final scores were Kolora Noorat 11.6 (72) to Russells Creek 20.15 (135).
Best for the Power were Justin Wallace, Jack Vaughan, Jarrod Evans, Louis Cahill, Caleb Kavanagh and Ben Carlin.
Young talent Oscar Ritchie booted three goals for the Power while Caleb Kavanagh and Justin Wallace added two each.
Louis Cahill, Nick Castersen, Ted Kenna and Charlie Scanlon each contributed a goal.
Earlier in the day, the Power’s reserves went down by 69 points, 1.2 (8) to 11.11 (77).
Jesse Sorgiovanni was the only goal scorer.
Best players included Paul McSween, Jacob Kenna, Daniel Carr, Michael Bell and Remington Clarke.
In the under 18s, Kolora Noorat lost to Russells Creek 5.7 (37) to 11.8 (74).
Best players included Ted Kenna, Eitan Brooks, Riley Kelly, Damon Anders, Byron Ward and Levin Cootesmith.
Kenna kicked three for the day while Riley Kelly and Oscar Ritchie each contributed a goal.
The Warrnambool District League will have a bye for this long weekend and will return for round 10 on Saturday, June 15, when Kolora Noorat will take on South Rovers at Walter Oval.
