In the first game of the day at the Geographe Leisure Centre the 18 & Under flew to an early lead. It was a pleasing team effort with all players applying defensive pressure. Captain, Kristyn Cook who was awarded the Libby Mettam player of the day combined effectively with Montana Tenardi in defence to keep the HBL Lions to just three goals at quarter time.
Sally Conroy and Lucy Burge continued with accurate shooting into the second quarter, using the circle smartly and moving seamlessly together to continue to stretch the lead to 33-13 at half time.
Isabelle Hewitt was outstanding in WD, turning over multiple balls from HBL's centre pass. Felicity Watson and Cate Williamson were fast and furious with their drives through the mid court. Cate taking four clean intercepts in the last quarter to stop a late run on by HBL. Our young Magpies, Daisy de Morton, Millie Oldmeadow and Rebekah Cook playing up from the 16s team added skill and tenacity to the line-up and worked hard making valuable contributions to the final score with a win to the Magpies 57-25.
The 16 & Under Magpies, still treading in the unknown waters of the South West Football Netball League, came out in round two with the same enthusiasm and determination as their first game. Winning each quarter the young Magpies managed to keep the momentum going from the first whistle to the final.
The centre court showed great potential with Amber Guthridge making the move to wing defence, displaying her ability to put pressure on the HBL attacking line. Tiahni Baggetta and Annika Brearley combined well together, both players familiar with each others playing style through their Development pathway history.
At the defence end of the court Olivia Crothers put continual zoning pressure on her players, tightening up her defensive style which created some spectacular turn overs. The goalie combination once again impressed the home crowd with their strength and accuracy finishing off the game with a convincing 60 - 27 win.
The Libby Mettam player of the day was awarded to team captain Daisy DeMorton who continues to show her steady composure and advanced netball skills.
The league team took on the HBL Lions at Eaton Recreation Centre. The Magpies took a little while to settle into the match and the Lions took a small early lead in front of their home crowd. A new forward line combination that included the Pethybridge sisters Mia and Phoebe, managed to finish the first quarter strongly to lead 13-8.
The Magpies defensive unit of Jenelle Pagan, Tammy Thornley and Taneika Handley stepped up the workload in the second quarter. Their defensive pressure forcing HBL into a number of unforced errors and again keeping them to only eight goals for the quarter with the half time score 29-16.
The second half saw some changes to the HBL forward line, with new GS Matilda Tinker providing a good target for their feeders. However Magpies GK Pagan was up to the task, earning her the Libby Mettam Magpies MVP Award.
The Magpies forward line really started to gel, with some slick feeds by Mia Pethybridge and Chloe Willsher into the experienced shooting combination of Lisa Millman and Maia Bratton. The Magpies piled on 46 goals in the second half sending an ominous warning to the rest of the competition. Final score to the Magpies 75-42.
Round three kicks off with a double header for the 18s/League on the April 17 the 18s play at 12.15pm at the Leschenault Leisure Centre followed by League at 1.45pm then on April 18 it's off to the SW Sports Centre playing South Bunbury with 18s at 10.30am, 16s at 12pm and League also at 12pm.