Sport
29 July, 2025
Campbells Creek earn first multiple win season since 2022 after Harcourt win
Campbells Creek has registered multiple wins in a season for the first time since 2022, breaking their losing run against Harcourt with a 51-34 victory.
After both teams were defeated by Lexton in their last match, the Magpies and Lions were prepared for a tight affair after the Lions’ three-goal win earlier in the season.
While Campbells Creek entered this match virtually unchanged, even after the bye last weekend, Harcourt added Christine Webb to their defence with regular defender Tamara Farr unavailable, and Katrina Walters and Abby Williams moved back to B grade.
The game began with a sensibly slower tempo as both teams adjusted to the wet conditions at Harcourt Recreation Reserve, which led to some early turnovers.
After a low-scoring first quarter, the two teams remained deadlocked at six apiece.
Harcourt defenders Milla Berry and Morgan Yarwood started the game strongly, halting multiple Campbells Creek advances with their intercepts.
That limited early chances for Magpies shooters Paige Langley and Jemma Finning, who finished the period with three goals each.
With Campbells Creek defenders Lizzy Clarke and Katina Hawken most comfortable in the goal circle, Lions shooter Gemma Papadimos heavily assisted her team’s attacks by moving out of the goal circle, providing a strong link while scoring three goals as well.
As the players became more accustomed to the treacherous conditions in the second quarter, goals became more frequent.
Fortunately for the visitors, Taylah Sartori and Eillish Cumming were controlling the game in the midcourt, allowing the Magpies to enter half time up by five goals.
Finning made the most of the increased chances created by Sartori and Cumming, turning deadly in the second term with 10 goals, while teammate Langley contributed with four successful shots.
After losing their last two meetings to Harcourt by a combined total of four goals, Campbells Creek weren’t keen on resting on their laurels to start the second half.
They made the bold decision to move in-form shooter Finning into the midcourt, making way for Elouise Jones to give the visitors a taller target to throw to.
The Lions and Magpies were shooting brilliantly considering the weather, however, it was Campbells Creek who once again had the upper hand in the third quarter, extending their lead to eight goals at the final break.
The decision to bring on Jones looked very wise. She scored eight goals while also creating space for Langley, who impressed in the third, netting six of her seven shots.
Papadimos tried to limit the margin for the Lions, going a perfect three for three in the third period.
With everything still to play for in the fourth quarter, the Magpies’ offence exploded with 17 goals in the final term, sealing a somewhat poetic 17-goal victory that moved them into 10th on the MCDFNL ladder.
Finning moved back into the shooter alongside Jones for the last 15 minutes, with the duo dominating the final term thanks to Jones converting 12 of her 14 shots to finish with a game high 20 goals and Finning scoring five.
Harcourt’s Papadimos continued her recent strong form, providing a safety valve in attack while also scoring 10 goals from just 11 shots for the match.
