Nightcliff Tigers bring intensity early on to down Waratahs in Round 9 of the 2021 Darwin Netball Premier League

NIGHTCLIFF held back a late Waratahs challenge to run out 41-34 winners in Round 9 of the Darwin Netball Premier League

Nightcliff’s Edwina Shearer has been strong in the midfield for her side this season. Picture: Helen Orr

NIGHTCLIFF held back a late Waratahs challenge to run out 41-34 winners in Round 9 of the Darwin Netball Premier League.

The Tigers brought the intensity from the opening centre bounce, with Megan Craufurd and Johanna ­Hampton shooting accurately.

And it wasn’t just the shooters who kept Nightcliff in front, with big defensive shifts from Kiri Ronald and Lily Clark keeping Tahs at bay.

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Nightcliff Tigers looking for strong start against Waratahs in Round 9 of the Darwin Netball Premier League

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Tigers had a handy buffer of seven points by the time Waratahs managed to put a point on the board, with that buffer proving crucial by game end.

But in the second half, Tahs displayed the form that has seen them rise to second on the table this season, dragging back the score margin to as little as three points at one stage.

Sarrita King showed plenty of energy on the ball, gifting her shooters opportunities as her side chipped away at the deficit.

However, Tigers regained control through the fourth quarter, pushing their score back out and preventing a fighting comeback.

Captain Katie Elmer was pleased to come away with the win in the first match back for a number of players in her side.

“We had the full team back, so it was great to pick up this win as a whole group,” Elmer told the NT News.

“We had that intensity and came out hard from the start which is something we always aim to do. And we just had that through court defence.

“When they came back at us in the third quarter we just went back to our basics and stuck to what we could do to pull off the win.

“It was a bit of a ‘here they come’ moment but it’s always a great game when we play (Tahs), always clean and contested and it was a real fight to the end.”

Banks Bulldogs won 45-38 over Hoggies, and table-toppers Tracy Village were held to a 33-all draw against reigning premiers Pints.