TERANG Mortlake’s youth brigade have impressed in their first outing for 2016, playing a key role in the Bloods’ 48-41 defeat of Koroit on Saturday.
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Playing at home, the Bloods built a strong lead early, working to an eight-goal advantage at the first break.
But the Saints fought their way back into the contest in the second quarter, closing within three goals, before Terang Mortlake pushed the buffer back out to 10 at half-time.
Koroit responded again, drawing with a couple of goals at the final change, but 15 goals to 10 in the final term saw the Bloods walk away seven-goal winners.
Defender Kelly Mullen, who has taken on the coaching role in Aimee Arundell’s absence, said she was particularly impressed with the efforts of Emma Lucas, Jessica Quick, Jacqui Arundell and Anna Bourke.
“(They) all played under 17s together last year, and even though they’re young, you could tell they had confidence in each other out on the court,” Mullen said.
“(Koroit) came back in the second quarter – it got to about three in the second quarter – but I think they (the Bloods players) handled themselves really well.”
North Warrnambool Eagles mentor Jody Roth said her side was disappointed to leave without the points against an impressive Warrnambool at Reid Oval, but there was plenty her young charges could take from the game.
“We’ll learn a lot more from a loss than we will from a win,” she said.
“Compliments to Warrnambool, they fought a hard game and they deserved that one today,” she said.
“(But) the girls didn’t give in, we missed our opportunities, but it’s very exciting for us today – we had two under 15s come onto the court being Molly McKinnon and Phoebe Whitman.”
Port Fairy set up its 44-32 win over Cobden in the first half of Saturday night’s game, shooting 21 goals to 12 in the first two quarters.
The Bombers were largely able to keep pace in the second half, but were unable to drag back the margin.
Carley Thomas shot 27 goals for the Seagulls, while teenage star goaler Molly Hutt dropped in 22 for the Bombers.
Hamilton Kangaroos and South Warrnambool played out the first draw of the season on Saturday night.
The Roosters held a three-goal lead at quarter-time, before the advantage swung the other way at the main break.
Scores were locked on 33 at three-quarter-time and 44 at the final whistle.
