A second-half surge helped Hamilton Kangaroos to a convincing 48-21 victory against Camperdown at Leura Oval on Saturday.

Both sides entered the game on a hat-trick of wins but a defensive masterclass after the main break — the Pies only managed six goals — helped the Roos bolster their flag credentials.

A competitive first half, played in teeming rain, ensured Camperdown was in contention at the main break.

But the Magpies’ grasp — they were down 21-15 at half-time — soon slipped as the Kangaroos stormed away.

Hamilton Kangaroos coach Sara Byrne sent an ominous warning to the competition after the game — they can get better.

“The good thing is I know there is room for improvement,” she said.

“It was a good battle. The day was not conducive to really good netball.”

Byrne was rapt with her side’s application, particularly given the difficult conditions.

She praised the back court — Rhianne Lewis, Aly Smead and Amanda Huf — for its cohesion.

“Our defensive end was absolutely brilliant,” Byrne said. “We got fantastic touches around the circle.

“They (the girls) lifted their work rate (in the second half) and for me the defence was sublime.”

Kangaroos goal shooter Kelsey Lewis defied the tricky conditions to drain a game-high 39 goals.

“She didn’t play her best shooting game last week, so she redeemed herself,” Byrne said.

The non-playing coach brought Nicole Talbot on at wing defence in the third term and replaced centre Ally Feely with Amanda Huf.

Goaler Hayley Sherlock injured her hip in the third term, forcing Talbot to moved into goal attack in the final quarter. Huf returned to her familiar wing defence post, allowing Feely to come back on at centre.

Byrne said the changes highlighted the Roos’ versatility.

Camperdown coach Leah Sinnott said the Pies showed glimpses but were disappointed to fall away after the main break.

“We played poorly in the last half but credit to Hamilton,” she said. 

“We know they are the benchmark. 

“It was a promising first half to know when we play well we can match it with the benchmark. We just need to carry it through.”

Sinnott said the Kangaroos jumped to a quick break in the opening term, which forced the Pies to play catch up.

“We missed our first two or three goals which gave us a six-goal deficit because we knew they would score with every opportunity, so that put us on the back foot,” she said.

“But from there we ran goal-for-goal and had an even second quarter.”

Sinnott asked her side to lift its intensity at half-time as she could sense the Kangaroos were ready to step up.

She lamented the second-half fadeout.

“We completely fell by the wayside,” Sinnott said.

“We were making too many unforced errors. Some were caused by their pressure but some were unforced errors and that’s not good enough.

“If you give a team like Hamilton an opportunity they punish you.”

Sinnott was pleased with the Pies’ defensive end of Chelsea Castles, who was moved to goal shooter in the fourth term, and Brooke Richardson.