A-grade: Deni Rovers 32 drew with Katunga 32.
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Rovers A Grade were made to fight every step of the way in a high-quality contest against Katunga on Saturday, with the match ending in a dramatic 32-all draw.
Rovers started strongly, settling quickly into their rhythm and controlling the early passages of play.
However, Katunga responded with relentless hands-over defensive pressure, forcing turnovers and disrupting Rovers' attacking flow.
They capitalised on a string of uncharacteristic errors, taking a narrow two-goal lead into halftime.
Nat Sampson was outstanding in defence throughout, repeatedly shutting down Katunga’s forward drives and turning play back in Rovers' favour.
A key positional switch midway through the third quarter saw Chloe Brown move from wing attack to goal attack; a strategic change that proved vital.
Brown’s composure and accuracy under pressure helped shift the momentum, sparking a spirited final-quarter surge.
Rovers dominated much of the final term and looked poised to clinch the win, but Katunga held firm in the closing minutes to level the scores.
The result was a fitting reflection of a closely fought contest, with both sides displaying grit and determination.
Rovers will take plenty of positives from the performance as they head into the final rounds of the season.
Awards: Natalie Sampson, Chloe Brown.
B-grade: Deni Rovers 35 def Katunga 43.
Despite a promising start, Rovers B Grade were outplayed by a disciplined Katunga side.
Rovers began strongly but couldn’t maintain momentum, with unforced errors and shooting inaccuracy allowing the Swans to gradually gain control.
Katunga capitalised on turnovers and steadily extended their lead across the quarters.
In defence, Bell McIlwain and Georgia McCulloch worked tirelessly, applying pressure and punishing any loose passes or missed opportunities.
Britt Edwards provided a calming presence in the shooting circle, helping to steady the attack.
While Rovers showed glimpses of their best, the performance lacked their usual polish and cohesion.
They'll be looking to regroup and respond in the next round.
Awards: Georgia McCulloch, Brittany Edwards.
C-grade: Deni Rovers 36 def by Katunga 46.
C Grade came into the game knowing they were up against strong competition, facing the ladder-leading Swans who have consistently delivered dominant performances.
The first quarter saw both teams make some nervous, unforced errors in a fast-paced contest. Despite trailing by 3 at quarter-time, the Roos remained well in touch.
The second quarter continued in similar fashion, but the Swans found momentum in the third, pushing their lead out to as many as 9 goals before the Roos regrouped and clawed it back to just 3 at three-quarter time.
Some positional changes in the final term halted the Roos' momentum, and unforced errors reappeared, while the Swans capitalised with accurate shooting to close out the game.
Despite the 46–36 loss, there were plenty of positives to take away from the game, including some exceptional passages of play, impressive rotations in the goal ring, and hustle and pressure all over the court.
The girls should be proud of their performance — with teamwork and a focus on the fundamentals, they are well within reach of the competition’s top team.
Awards: Matilda Glowrey, Reagan Behsman.
C-reserve: Deni Rovers 48 def Katunga 24.
After a slow start in the first quarter, the girls lifted their intensity for the remainder of the game to come away with a solid 48–24 win over the Swans.
Abby Whithorn was instrumental in Centre, collecting multiple intercepts, while Mollie Leetham provided plenty of drive and attacking options through Wing Attack.
Monty Jones made her presence felt across all defensive positions in her first game back after a long break.
A variety of shooting combinations were trialled throughout the match, but this did not disrupt the team’s flow, highlighting their versatility and cohesion.
Awards: Monty Jones, Mollie Leetham.
Under-17s: Deni Rovers 57 def Katunga 27.
No report provided.
Awards: Bae Willis, Eve Meharry, Amy Holloway.
Under-15s: Deni Rovers 76 def Katunga 1.
Our Under 15s girls put on an impressive performance this week, taking a 76-1 win over Katunga.
While the scoreboard showed a clear margin, it was the effort and discipline from the girls that really stood out.
In a game where it would have been easy to switch off, the team stayed focused and made smart decisions right across the court.
It was great to see them using the plays and structures we’ve been working on at training, showing how far they’ve come in both skill and game awareness.
We made plenty of positional changes throughout the match, and the girls handled every adjustment with confidence, continuing to work hard and support each other on court.
A great team effort all round and a strong reminder of what they’re capable of when they play with purpose.
Awards: Amelie Bulmer, Stella McBurnie, Jorja Woolston.
Under-13s: Deni Rovers 41 def Katunga 2.
No report provided.
Awards: Indi Conallin, Issy Goodear, Khoa Unwin.
Under-11s: Not scored.
Another fantastic game by the girls today, demonstrating excellent teamwork and sportsmanship against a strong Katunga side.
Their focus on staying tight in defence paid off, resulting in some well-earned intercepts and a smooth transition into the attacking end.
Awards: Indie Bulmer, Pippa Holden, Charlotte King, Harper Bulmer.
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