HAMILTON Kangaroos scored their first win in 19 Hampden league attempts and coach Sara Byrne is confident it won’t be the last.
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The Kangaroos lived up to pre-season predictions of being a big improver, posting a 63-35 win over Cobden at Cobden Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
After a tight first term, the Kangaroos extended a two-goal advantage by the end of every quarter before finishing strongly to claim the 28-goal triumph.
“It is nice for the girls to know it is achievable and they can win and can play well together, especially for Amanda Huf and Ally Feely who are the only two in the team from last year,” Byrne said.
Byrne said the Kangaroos’ defensive pressure across the court and strong fitness level held them in good stead.
The new coach said her side took time to settle before building confidence and form.
“I think we started to stamp it in the second quarter,” she said.
“Cobden got a goal at the start when they broke our first centre pass and had two on the board before we scored.
“The second quarter we kicked into gear.”
Defenders Huf and Rhianne Lewis, midcourter Feely and goal shooter Kelsey Lewis were the Roos’ best.
In other games, South Warrnambool opened its quest to climb the ladder with a dominant 44-29 win over Warrnambool at Reid Oval yesterday.
Roosters coach Leah Kermeen was pleased with the way her side performed.
“It’s good to get a win in the first game,” she said.
“It was good to show our versatility. We changed the line-up every quarter and had different combinations.”
Kermeen said goal keeper Gen O’Connor was a standout for the Roosters, with “everyone bringing something”.
Warrnambool coach Chloe Arnott said the Blues, with a new side from last year, needed time to gel.
She said herself at goal shooter, goal attack Erin Maxwell and wing attack Jenna Graham hadn’t played together, so the attacking end was a work in progress.
Powerhouse Koroit, which was undefeated in the home-and-away series last season, claimed a 28-goal win over Port Fairy at Victoria Park.
Captain Carly Thomas dominated for the Saints, scoring 49 of her side’s goals in the 67-39 victory.