WITH a bit of polish, Camperdown should be shining at the same strength as it was last year.
Perhaps even more.
The Magpies proved their preparation for the approaching Hampden league season was well on track in the second round of Western Regional State League last night.
Playing under the banner of Camperdown Night Netball Association, the Magpies toppled an energetic Cobden outfit 49-38 at the Arc.
The Magpies looked every bit the side they were in 2011.
Sure there were a few accuracy and timing hiccups, but that’s to be expected in January.
Come April, Camperdown will be the well-drilled machine that has made the past two Hampden A grade grand finals.
Playing coach Rachel Rodger insists on that.
“We’ve already shown some really good patches,” she told The Standard last night.
“At this stage it’s like any team, the consistency is lacking a little bit.
“But that’s the good thing about this competition. It’s a good chance to trial combinations before the season starts.”
Tried and tested defensive combination Chelsea Castles and Emma Wright were as mobile as ever in the first term.
The persistent Cobden and District Night Netball Association, also made up of many Hampden regulars, got within two goals early but the margin blew out to 15-9 at quarter-time.
The Bombers opened the second term with three unanswered goals, but Camperdown soon responded.
It took about a quarter-and-a-half for Magpies pillar Narelle Welsh to settle in under the post and for her teammates to perfect their lob passes into the circle.
She was ably assisted by youngster Jocelyn McDonald as Camperdown flew ahead 30-20 at half-time.
“We have to be a bit more patient in certain situations,” Rodger said.
“We have a tendency to look for the easy way out and do the long bombs into Narelle. That’s one thing that let us down a bit last season, which by the end of the year we had ironed out.”
Camperdown felt comfortable enough to give wing attack Tracey Baker a rest in the third term and replace her with dictating attacker Leah Sinnott.
Once again, Cobden got the first score on the board and worked hard to reduce the buffer to 38-29.
Sinnott shifted to goal defence in the fourth, while Castles stepped into goal attack.
“We’ve probably now got a few more options in defence and in attack this year,” Rodger said.
“For now, it’s looking really good.”
But let’s not forget Cobden.
There was plenty to like about the plucky Bombers who offered moments of brilliance but were caught in a panic on too many occasions.
The long-range accuracy of zippy goaler Julia Moloney was impressive, as was the agility of defender Remeny McCann and midcourter Demi Mounsey.
Goal keeper Sally Seabrook put in a respectable effort against Welsh and offered vocal encouragement down the court.
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