SOUTH Warrnambool will be chasing a hat-trick of victories when it faces in-form North Warrnambool Eagles next Saturday after upsetting the previously-unbeaten Terang Mortlake.
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The Roosters prevailed 29-23 in a defence-dominated match at Friendly Societies’ Park on Saturday, while the Eagles upset reigning premier Koroit yesterday.
Roosters coach Susan Pettigrew was delighted with her young side’s performance.
“It was a really good win,” she said.
“I knew Terang Mortlake had been playing well so it’s a nice win for us. I think it’s fantastic as far as confidence goes for us.”
Pettigrew was delighted with her defenders — goal keeper Maddie White, goal defence Gen O’Connor and wing defence Ally O’Connor — who were on top of their opponents. Their ability to create turnovers helped midcourters Olivia Niddrie and Darcy Wilson, feed shooters Leah Kermeen and Nell Mitchell. But she said Terang Mortlake’s defence of Jess O’Connor and Kelly Mullen had a similar impact on the game.
Terang Mortlake coach Aimee Arundell said South Warrnambool was the better team, outworking her side.
“We were really ordinary, really flat from the get-go,” Arundell said.
“We had no drive and our passing was terrible. South played really well and put the pressure on us across the court. They were very good. They deserved to win.”
In other matches, North Warrnambool Eagles scored a come-from-behind three-goal win against Koroit in a physical clash at Victoria Park.
The Saints led by three at the final change but the Eagles edged ahead in a desperate final term, with teenage goaler Sophie Chow the match winner.
Chow, who started on the bench, was moved into goal attack at half-time and opposing coaches Judy Roth and Kasey Owen said her performance was decisive in the 37-34 result.
Roth was delighted her side had fought back in the final term, saying they had followed her instructions closely.
Saints co-coach Kasey Owen said she was pleased with her side’s performance after her makeshift line-up suffered a major loss early in the second term.
Wing attack Emily Rose Finnigan was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured ankle. That came after they went into the game without dynamic goal attack Teagan Lang (back). Defender Megan Russell played in attack.
Hamilton Kangaroos maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 46-33 win over Port Fairy. Coach Sara Byrne said her side’s defensive pressure lifted after quarter-time, having a big impact on the result.
She said wing defence Amanda Huf producing her best form of the season so far.
