Netball
17 July, 2024
Battle for second heats up
With Pimpinio, Taylors Lake, and Swifts on the bye, only four matches feature in round 14 of the Horsham District Football Netball League season this coming Saturday. The netball match of the round is a battle between top teams vying for second on the ladder, with Rupanyup hosting Kalkee.
Rupanyup hosts Kalkee in what is set to be a mouth-watering clash. Rupanyup has shown they are probably the second-best team in the league, nearly beating Laharum, but anything can happen when the top teams play each other.
Fresh off a bye, they may come out rusty, so Kalkee needs a fast start. If they can get out of the blocks fast, they could put enough pressure on to come away with a fantastic victory.
Both teams are set to be full strength and in good shooting form, so it's a match not to be missed.
Kaniva Leeor travels to Cameron Oval to take on a big test. Laharum, after getting pushed by Rupanyup a few rounds ago, has their groove back and has a near full-strength side.
The Cougars should also be at full strength, with Zoe Hawker and Melanie Maddern returning after missing last week due to Adelaide commitments.
The Cougars need just one more win to secure a finals spot, so expect them to come out firing.
At the Natimuk Showgrounds, Natimuk will look to continue improving as they face a Noradjuha Quantong team firing on all cylinders.
The Rams are not the same team they were at the start of the season, but the Bombers are eyeing that second place, and a big win will give them a good chance of securing it.
Bombers coach Fiona Rowe said they need to keep improving.
"We have to continue to grow and improve every week if we want to be competitive come finals," Rowe said.
"We need to connect more in the team, and regardless of what pressure we are put under, we need to control that ball and connect with each other."
In the other match, Edenhope Apsley hosts Harrow Balmoral. The Saints are nipping on the heels of the teams battling for second place and will eye another big win, but the Southern Roos are also not the same team they were at the start of the year, showing gradual improvement as the season nears its conclusion.