Cairns Netball: Leps display promising signs in Sharks defeat
Leprechauns have fallen short of exacting revenge over Sharks in their Cairns Netball Association grand final rematch, but coach Kym McPhee-Smith has seen enough to know her side can mix it with the competition’s benchmark team in 2020.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Cowboys commit to Pride despite unknown funding impacts
- Tigers’ mid-court concerns ahead of Saints clash
- Northern Pride coach puts hat in ring for Cowboys role
- JT’s powerful message on racism ahead of Indigenous Round
Leprechauns have fallen short of exacting revenge over Sharks in their Cairns Netball Association grand final rematch, but coach Kym McPhee-Smith has seen enough to know her side can mix it with the competition’s benchmark team in 2020.
While only one point could separate the two sides in last year’s overtime decider, Sharks were 50-37 winners in the second round of the Senior Division 1 competition at Cairns Netball’s Martyn St courts on Wednesday night.
The defending premiers were too strong against a gritty Leps outfit and found their rhythm as the game went on in the 13-goal victory.
> SOUTHS DOWN SAINTS IN COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN
Despite the double-digit loss, McPhee-Smith said she was happy with her side’s performance.
“We were with them early, we were only one down in the first quarter,” she said.
“I was really proud of our attacking in particular, but we’ve just got a little bit of work to do in our defensive end.”
McPhee-Smith lauded the efforts of centre Emma Lardner and former Northern Rays player Chantelle Tikitau, who were among the Leps best on the night, alongside Becka Marsters.
“Emma was fantastic, I had to move her to wing defence to combat the talented Amanda Barton and I thought she did an exceptional job,” she said.
“Chantelle played extremely well in the shooting department.”
Leprechauns second-division players Lisa Thorpe, Courtney Fowler and Lily Munro were called up into the side and didn’t miss the chance to impress the Senior Division 1 coach.
“We’re still trialling a couple of players to cement in our top team, and I thought the couple of girls that stepped up tonight did a really good job,” McPhee-Smith said.
The Leps mentor was also full of praise for the opposition.
> TIGERS’ MID-COURT CONCERNS AHEAD OF SAINTS CLASH
“Amanda Barton was fantastic, their goal shooter Allessandra (Smith) was exceptional, and when Lou Dutton came on to shooter, that made a big difference,” she said.
“We’re just going to work on how we’re going to shut those guys down.”
In the round’s other games, Saints and the Fierce got their first wins of the season, with victories over Tigers and Cutters, respectively.
ROUND 2 RESULTS
Sharks 50 d Leprechauns 37
Saints 45 d Tigers 23
Fierce 43 d Cutters 35
Originally published as Cairns Netball: Leps display promising signs in Sharks defeat