Sport
6 May, 2026
Senior netballers take trio of wins over West
CASTERTON Sandford had a great day out on the Senior netball courts, with three wins in the top three grades, over West Gambier.
We expected/hoped to be taking on the Westies in the wet but instead were given warm and gusty conditions while we patiently waited for the rain to drop.
The Cats had a wonderful day over at the courts, the three wins accompanied by a massive improvement from our C Graders and our 17 & Unders displaying an amazing first half of netball before a couple of game ending injuries changed the match.
Our A Graders are very much gelling together and producing a standard of netball that is worth making the trek over to the courts for; you will not be disappointed.
Saturday saw the girls take on a very changed West Gambier side, without our newcomer Lara Munro who has been playing a very dominant GA so far this year.
Our talented youngster, Ylana Grigg, stepped into the role and teamed with Danielle Tooley (GS) to put on a very tidy goaling performance.
The goalies were beautifully fed by Isobel Cleary (WA) and Caeleigh Humphries (C) who was very busy down both ends of the court, getting the ball to the girls at one end and stealing it from West at the other with her partner in crime (on and off the court) Ebany Jarrad (WD).
Chloe Finnigan and Holly Smith were relentless in the defensive circle all game.
I checked the goal post after the game - Chloe, it’s okay, but please be a bit kinder to it next time.
I have not checked in with the West goalies to see how they are today; they might feel a bit like the post. Final score Cats 41 to West 29.
A Reserve
THE A Ressies needed to put a strong game together after a draw and a couple of tough matches to start of their season.
A rough game last week which saw one of their star players, Amber Carlin, go down with a season ending ACL injury, the girls had to regroup and find a way to get on the winners’ list and they did!
With some tall timber at each end of the court (Shelby Nolte, GS and Zoe Hill, GK - welcome back Zoe!) the rest of the girls ran around underneath them to put on an impressive 21-goal win.
Final score Cats 64 to West 45.
B Grade
B GRADE was also without two of its usual players, but fought very hard to come away with a four-goal win.
Many turnovers were created down in the defensive end through grit and determination by Marissa Jamieson (GK) and Sharna Fidler (GD), made more possible by the pressure put on by Caitlyn Gorman (WD) and Kerri Harvey (C).
Those turnovers, along with Kerri’s run and carry through the midcourt and linking teamwork with Kathryn Gill-Killey (WA) helped the goalies, Phoebe Rhook (GA) and Nicola Smith (GS) to be able to focus more on positioning themselves against a fairly handy West defensive duo.
Rolling subs (pretty much like footy) have been a welcome introduction to the league this year and Isabella Baker was rotated through the midcourt when needed to give the girls a break and keep everyone fresh.
Final score Cats 35 to West 31.
C Grade
OUR tight-knit group of C Grade girls are improving week on week under the guidance of Val.
The difference between this time and last time they took on West was a massive 50-goal improvement.
Shooting 40 goals in this league of netball is a fantastic achievement.
Keep getting along to training girls and the wins will come!
Imagine the group chat after a win - it’s just around the corner!
Final Score Cats 40 to West 51.
17 & Under
THE 17 & Unders had a fantastic start to their day against a very talented and fast-moving West.
West have many members of their 17s who are regulars in their top senior grades and luckily, so do we, so it was always going to be a great game.
Without a full side, we borrowed a couple of girls from a neighbouring league who had a bye.
These girls were a very welcome addition to the team and looked like they had been alongside our girls all year.
Our 17s are very lucky to be coached by one of our home grown stars, Caeleigh Humphries, who gives the girls lots of positive and helpful coaching as they develop into our future leaders.
At half time the girls held a three-goal lead.
We then suffered two match-ending injuries which rattled us a bit and saw the game’s momentum swing in favour of West.
Thankyou very much to Heidi and Luca who filled in for us; thanks also to Cleo who had to be summoned from the river to come and jump on the court.
We wish Luca all the best in her recovery.
Final Score Cats 47 to West 56.
We would like to thank all of our voucher sponsors.
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Our club is very appreciative of your sponsorship.
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