Townsville Premier League netball round 4: Gutsy Highlanders grind first win

Only one team remains undefeated after four rounds and they had another emphatic win on Monday night. Catch up on all four Premier League games and see who made our Team of the Week.

Highlanders scrapped their way to their first victory of the Premier League netball season on Monday night, finishing on top of a hard-fought tussle with Neptunes 45-38.

Highlanders entered the game with only eight of their regular Premier League players, forcing coach Rachel Corbett to spend some time on court as well as elevated division 1 player Emily Harris.

The Highlanders coach said she hoped the team would build momentum from their first win after two narrow losses and a draw, and credited the experience of centre Chandler Searle for steering the team to victory.

“We did grind for that win. This time we held out the opposition. We worked hard and got the goals in which was good to see and something we’ve been struggling to do with turnovers,” Corbett said.

“She (Searle) brings a lot of strength into that midcourt and a lot of experience from playing in state league in her earlier days, not that long ago to be honest.

Highlanders GS Sophie Watson shook off a slow start to finish with 38/51 goals. Pictured at 2023 at the semi-final of Townsville's Premier League netball. Picture: Shaantel Hampson / TCNAI.

“Just that little bit of extra control and smarts really helps those younger girls realise what they need to be doing.”

Highlanders had raced out to an early 7-1 lead before Neptunes could stop the bleed, actually coming back to level the scores at 8-8 before taking a lead into quarter time.

But great ball movement through the middle third from Searle and Megan Tomarchino gave goal shooter Sophie Watson the space and time she needed to heat up.

That’s exactly what Watson did, shaking off a slow start to finish with 38/51 goals.

Highlanders GS Sophie Watson at the 2023 semi-final of Townsville's Premier League netball, 2023. Picture: Shaantel Hampson / TCNAI.

Neptunes were still in the contest until the final stages and proved difficult to score against with their active defence.

BURDEKIN v PHOENIX

The Burdekin Silverlinks remain the only undefeated team after an emphatic 60-34 triumph over Phoenix.

Phoenix started with plenty of confidence after upsetting the reigning premiers Saints in round 3 but they couldn’t keep up with the frenetic Silverlinks who extended their lead at every break.

The travelling Burdekin fans found their voice in the second quarter as their team took control thanks to fast passing and reliable shooting up front by Mackenzie Linton, who finished the game 30/37.

Townsville City Netball Premier League player Mackenzie Linton from the Burdekin Silverlinks. Picture: Supplied.

Phoenix wing attack Mischa Oliver enjoyed a fantastic start to the game, hurling a number of absolutely fizzing one-handed passes that always found their target on the move. Unfortunately she did not return after halftime and her teammates missed her pace and on-court energy.

Burdekin player-coach Cara Trindle shot eight goals without a miss after halftime and finished with 10 goals.

SAINTS v FNAE ROOS

Saints shook off their shock round 3 defeat to Phoenix with a 48-26 statement win over the First Nations Academy of Excellence (FNAE) Roos.

Makenzie Wakelin playing for Saints in Townsville's Premier League. Picture: Saints Netball Club.

The Roos were a step off the pace and their opponents made them pay with a number of turnovers converted.

The classy Saints front court of Abbey Pearson, Rachel King and Makenzie Wakelin allowed them to take a 10-point lead early in the contest and they never looked back, despite uncharacteristically wayward shooting across the board.

Roos coach Sharon Finnan-White would have been pleased to see her team fight to the end, showing plenty of resolve to win the final quarter 9-7 with some great defence.

RUNAWAYS v MARIAN VIXENS

Runaways were too fast for Marian Vixens, racing away to a comfortable 51-38 victory.

Marian Vixens scrapped for every possession but were a step behind the rapid Runaways midcourt who were positively humming.

Runaways hit their stride when Talise Heron entered the fray, moving Jess Freeman from centre to wing attack where she was able to turbocharge the attacking third.

Marian Vixens player Shannon Perry is defended by Runaways centre Jess Freeman during Premier League netball in Townsville. Picture: Shaantel Hampson / TCNAI

Moving Heron to goal attack in the third quarter took the speed to the next level and Runaways kept building on their lead until the final whistle.

Charlie Duke and Maddy Ryan were valiant defending the circle and were a constant intercepting threat, and a fourth-quarter fight back allowed Marian Vixens to win the final term 12-8 for some consolation.

Runaways goal shooter Jorja James finished with 30/36 goals.

TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN TEAM OF THE WEEK

GS: Mackenzie Linton (Burdekin) – Confident game from the tall shooter who led from the front for the Silverlinks and finished with 30/37 goals.

GA: Meghan Marbelli (Phoenix) – Started the game at goal attack and drained nine first-quarter goals but shifted to wing attack later in the game. Made just as much impact at WA but couldn’t steer her side to a win.

WA: Jess Freeman (Runaways) – Freeman played a controlled game and shined with the ball, throwing some pinpoint passes at pace.

C: Shae Munro (Burdekin) – Munro brought a tonne of energy to the court with her fast and disruptive play. Won multiple turnovers and made some terrific plays.

WD: Imogen Everson (Runaways) – Good defensive game from Everson who was reliable at the back and helped the ball transition quickly up the court.

GD: Jazmin Clarke (Phoenix) – The Phoenix captain had a tough assignment with the Burdekin’s physical tandem of Linton and Gibson, but Clarke stood tall at the back.

GK: Rebecca Barnsley (Saints) – Huge defensive plays again from the reliable Saints goal keeper. It doesn’t matter who she’s playing, they’re always going to have a hard time.

SUB: Rachel King (Saints

SUB: Shakira Koskela (FNAE)

SUB: Chandler Searle (Highlanders)

SUB: Caitlin Brennan (Saints)

SUB: Charlie Duke (Marian Vixens)

Originally published as Townsville Premier League netball round 4: Gutsy Highlanders grind first win