Switch pays off for the Panthers

Carey Park retained second spot on the SWNFL ladder after Sunday’s 57-33 win over Augusta-Margaret River at the South West Sports Centre.

Both teams made several unforced errors early in the match before the home side managed to slowly get on top towards the end of the first half.

Leading 27-21 at half-time, the Panthers tinkered with their defensive line and put Cat Grochowski in at goalkeeper.

Grochowski made an immediate impact on the match, securing several interceptions which were capitalised on in the middle of the court by Tia Wallace and Chloe Willsher.

Augusta-Margaret River’s defenders Jenelle Keding and Emily Combes did all they could to turn the tide for the visitors, however the Panthers put their foot on the gas in the final quarter to run away with the contest.

Bunbury put Busselton’s finals hopes on life support after cruising to a 71-46 victory at the Geographe Leisure Centre on Saturday.

The first 10 minutes of the game were heavily contested as both teams went goal for goal.

Magpies goal shooters Sundara Manners and Maia Bratton were playing strongly, however the visitors continued their form from last week and capitalised on several mistakes which began to creep into the Magpies’ game.

The intensity continued into the second quarter with the Bulldogs pulling away with a fast style of play between their experienced players of Neva Nielsen and Cass Shine.

Fierce defence from the Bulldogs created several turnovers, which gave them a massive lead heading into the second half.

The Magpies rang the changes in the third quarter in a bid to get back into the game, with ECU Souwest Jets representative Mia Pethybridge moving to centre, Tammy Thornley into goal defence and Yasmin Riley into goal shooter alongside Bratton.

Ashlee Ritson combined with Pethybridge and Belinda Taylor in the centre court and they began to match it with the league leaders in the third quarter.

The Magpies fought hard for the remainder of the game in general play, however were unable to make inroads into the hefty deficit on the scoreboard.

In the final game for the weekend, the Eaton Boomers upset Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault 50-41 at the Eaton Recreation Centre.

Accurate shooting by Lions duo Sheridan Duke and Claire Cayley gave the visitors a handy five-goal buffer at quarter-time, however the Boomers kept chipping away at the lead quarter by quarter and early on in the third term gained the lead.

Kasey Joy and Alicia Golik, who was a fill-in player for the Boomers, played strong and smart defence and were the catalysts in getting their team back in front.