Goannas go back to back on court

THE three Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes football teams didn't come up trumps yesterday at Narrandera Sportsground, by the Goannas' netballers were the queens of the court.

In a sign that more and more success is to come, it was the young MCUE A grade team that came out on top.

For the second year running MCUE had too much pace for Narrandera, scoring a 44-34 win.

The Eagles shot out to an early lead, before MCUE gained the upper hand midway through the opening quarter.

Trailing by five goals at the first break, Narrandera made two changes that worked early in the second quarter.

After MCUE's tall shooters Ella Finemore and Georgia Cornell dominated with their height advantage Sam Irons made an immediate impact at goal keeper.

Olivia Mercuri came on for Kate Bruce at centre and three goals to start the quarter had the Eagles trailing by two, before the Goannas scored nine of the next 11 goals.

Taking a 21-14 lead at half-time, MCUE continued to extend its lead in a high-scoring third quarter.

Trailing by nine points, the start of the last quarter couldn't have been worse for the Eagles, starting with only three players.

With a host of changes made a three quarter-time, Narrandera didn't get its players on court before the first whistle to allow in an easy goal.

MCUE then consolidated its advantage in the last quarter to run out 10 goal winners.

Coach Julie Cornell only made one change in the game, with Clare Vearing coming on at wing defence at half-time.

She was thrilled with the team's performance and how much pressure they were able to put Narrandera under.

The pressure was particularly in the midcourt where Narrandera struggled to find a flowing pathway to the net.

After a cautious start, Cornell was pleased to see her team click into gear quickly.

"I think they have a very physical game and that puts them off at the start, so they key is to stuck with them and try and play our own game and we did that," she said.

"We adjusted to the umpires and played a very disciplined game."

Finemore and Cornell were solid in the goal circle for MCUE, while Tracy Schulz-Cole and Kira Payne repelled plenty of opportunities in defence.

While Stephanie Male and Gabrielle McRae offered plenty of attacking opportunities through the midcourt.

Winning back to back premierships, Cornell believes the future is bright for the club.

"It's very exciting to have Clare Vearing win a first grade premiership at 15, plus Ella and Gabe (McRae) are only 17 so there is a lot more to come," she said.

Goal keeper Kira Payne was judged best on court while MCUE also enjoyed success in A reserve, defeating Leeton-Whitton by seven goals.

Turvey Park won a thrilling netball B grade encounter with Leeton-Whitton by a point, while the Crows did enjoy some success with their C grade team defeating the Bulldogs by two goals.

FULL-TIME

A grade: MCUE 44 d Narrandera 34

Best: Kira Payne (MCUE)

A reserve: MCUE 49 d Leeton-Whitton 42

Best: Lana Duffy (MCUE)

B grade: Turvey Park 45 d Leeton-Whitton 44

Best: Abbey Corbett (Turvey Park)

C grade: Leeton-Whitton 38 d Turvey Park 36

Best: Abbey Corbett (Turvey Park)