Round 9 first of all saw Balmain play Sydney University on a chopped up St Paul's Oval. Unfortunately Sydney University suffered another ankle injury two weeks in a row. Balmain had 20 scoring shots to run out winners 7.13.55 to Sydney University 4.2.26. Notable was Belinda Pride's 5 goals. Commentary from the ground suggests Balmain's slick handballs, superior marking and dominating the center was the key ingredients to victory in the first quarter.
The other three games were conducted at Mahoney.
In the "big" clash between league leaders Newtown and 2nd placed Wests, Newtown once again hit out of the blocks to score goals by state representative Roxy McGee after a settling period. Newtown dominated field position on the field but apart from an extra goal to Bec Burridge from a set shot could have scored more points. Desperate Wests defence was well rewarded with Rachel Mercer scoring a snap goal just before the quarter time siren.
The 2nd quarter saw Wests fire up to have 5 scoring shots to nil with goals by Rachel Mercer from another snap shot in the goal square and from a free kick to have Wests comprehensively win the quarter 2.3.15 to 0.0.0.This must be one of the few non-rain quarters where the Breakaways have failed to score a point. The score was Wests 3.3.21 to 2.2.14
After half time it was a battle of attrition across the ground with the standout moment of Shelley Bates (Wolves) desperate tackle on Natasha Devlin (Breakaways) just as it looked like Tash was about to enter the 50m zone uncontested. The 3rd quarter score was slightly changed to have Wests 3.6.24 to 2.4.16.
The last quarter saw a resolve in the Breakaways not to let the opportunity of an undefeated season slip by and they scored 8 points in the final quarter with Roxy McGee scoring another goal. A head concussion incident saw Breakaways Laura Holdsworth taken off the field on a stretcher with under a minute to go. Time expired and it transpired it was a draw with identical goal and behinds of 3.6.24.
Those who impressed in no particular order was (Wests) Baccara Griffiths, Talei Owen and Georgia Woodyard and (Breakaways) Natalie Redford, Natasha Devlin and Jemma Still.
This was the first draw since 2006 (UNSW-Easts vs Camden). If someone from Newtown can explain why they sang the team song after a draw i'll be intrigued to know!
The development match saw St George take on a combined Macquarie University and Western Wolves team.
The last game of the day saw the UNSW-Easts Stingrays hosting the Bondi Shamrocks. In the first quarter poor decision making on the Shamrocks on their disposal options led to numerous pack football whilst the Stingrays played Swans-like footy locking the footy in until they found a better option. The score after the first quarter was 1.4.10 to 0.0.0.
In the 2nd quarter after the Shamrocks realised they could use the whole field, the Shamrocks was playing Dockers like footy pushing the ball wide using their wingers before centering the ball back in. Marie Keating was dangerous through out this quarter having numerous posessions on the half-forward line but would have been disappointed on her return of 1 goal and 4 behinds for the quarter. Sarah Court of the Stingrays was resolute in defence always marshalling the Stingrays to repel the newest Shamrocks attack. The score at half time was 3.10.28 to 0.0.0.
In the 3rd quarter both sides had to get used to the light rain which made the ground and the ball slippery. The Shamrocks dominated on the field position to score 3.3.21 to lead at the break 6.13.49 to 0.0.0
In the final quarter Easts took their chance and was unlucky to score a behind which hit the goal pads when a goal was what they really deserved for perseverance. Highlight of the quarter was the champagne football moment that resulted from the kick-in where the ball was transferred from goal square for another Shamrock goal without the ball touching the ground. Final score Shamrocks 10.17.77 to UNSW-ES Stingrays 0.1.1
Those who impressed in no particular order were (Stingrays): Sarah Court, Jenna Lineham, Jo Willessee, Joanne Graham (Shamrocks) Lara Creber, Kate Woodlands, Una McKay and Maeve O'Sullivan.
The ladder after Rd 9, sees Newtown a game ahead of 2nd placed Wests. The draw means they are ahead of Balmain by 2pts then the Shamrocks have secured 4th place on % displacing Sydney University. St George and UNSW-Easts remain the same.
Golden Boot news sees Marie Keating (Shamrocks) on 27 goals, Belinda Pride (Dockers) on 20 goals and Rachel Mercer (Wolves) on 13 goals.
Photo: Wests Runner Richard Anderson in his ultra-flouro skins - love ya Rich!
Last Modified on 28/06/2009 09:46