Net result: a great day

PAKENHAM hosted Narre War
ren in warm conditions that saw many
spectators out for the day, a great
atmosphere to start off the season.
There were a lot of nerves and
excitement and the result for the two
clubs were even with both winning
three games and one draw.
The three senior teams had easy
wins and the pre-season training
helped them get through the heat of
the day. The club proudly unfurling
the 2009 premiership flags before the
B and C Grades.
This year there is a second under-
15 team (gold), which sees two games
played side by side at some games and
on Saturday this resulted in a large
crowd, which was great for netball.
A GRADE
PAKENHAM started the season
with a convincing win. A confident and
consistent effort from the centre court
players fed the goalers who shot with
accuracy. Lots of movement through
centre court kept control, giving
options and spaces for great team
work. Pakenham’s defence was solid
all day not giving many opportunities
to the opposition.
Score: Pakenham 62 d Narre War
ren 22.
B GRADE
IT WAS a slow start on a nice sunny
day at Pakenham as the on-court tem
perature was warm. Pakenham settled
in the second and third quarters with
some good ball movement down the
court. The players finished off strong
ly by slowing the game to their pace
and working well as a team to win.
Score: Pakenham 43 d Narre War
ren 21. Best on court: Emily Hunt
C GRADE
Pakenham played hard four quar
ters in warm conditions. Catherine
Cole in her first game proved to be a
fine asset to the club. Beck Christie
also played her first senior game, up
from the under-17s as Cass Bridget
suffered a shoulder injury in the sec
ond quarter. The team played strongly
with the combined efforts of Cass,
Alanna Goldsack and Beck in the goal
ring, Allie Christie, Jess Dart and
Georgie Rooney feeding the ball in
well and tough defensive pressure.
The defensive end was unbreakable
with tight defence from Aleisha Tau
rua, Loopy and Nicole Marsh.
Score: Pakenham 39 d Narre 19
Best on court: Hayley Crandell
UNDER 17
FIRST-GAME nerves were evident
and an unsteady start put Pakenham on
the back foot. Jacqui Rossetti in
defence was strong all day and with
Olivia Hunt created many turnovers but
Pakenham’s attack end was unsettled
and could not capitalise. A few changes
showed the team’s versatility and saw
some positive signs. Pakenham fin
ished strongly in the final quarter.
Score: Narre Warren 29 d Paken
ham 14 Best on court: Jacqui Rossetti
UNDER 15
FOR the first game all players con
tributed well with Gabby Smethurst
and Bec Cox playing brilliantly from
start to finish. But Narre Warren was
too strong, especially in the third quar
ter, which it won comfortably. The
other three quarters were all close.
Score: Narre Warren 35 d Paken
ham 24 Awards: Gabby Smethurst,
Bec Cox
UNDER 15 GOLD
THE Golds had the best start to a
season: a win. Their defensive pres
sure stood out all over the court and all
players did the job they set out to do
and improved as the game went on.
Awards: Courtney and Lauren.
UNDER 13
THE team chalked up a draw in its
first game together. Intense pressure
from defenders Mikayla and Taylor
allowed midcourters Jess, Ally, and
Taylor to bring the ball down the court
with fine feeds into the goalers where
Annabel and Claire shot with accuracy.
Half-time saw some fresh legs come on
with Jasmine stepping into defence
and Melanie into goals.
Score: Pakenham 14 drew with
Narre Warren 14.