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13 May, 2024

Campbells Creek ends 13-month wait for netball victory thanks to five-goal win over Dunolly

It was a terrific day for Campbells Creek, ending an 18-game losing run to finally taste victory, scoring a five-goal win over Dunolly to mark their second game on their new netball courts. It was a victory that was long-awaited by all at the...

By Michael Thompson

Campbells Creek ends 13-month wait for netball victory thanks to five-goal win over Dunolly - feature photo

It was a terrific day for Campbells Creek, ending an 18-game losing run to finally taste victory, scoring a five-goal win over Dunolly to mark their second game on their new netball courts.

It was a victory that was long-awaited by all at the Magpies, and they’ll now be hoping they can maintain a good run towards the top eight.

It was all Campbells Creek in the opening term as they scored 14 goals to nine to assume an early lead. Tarni Williams was providing a good option for the Magpies, scoring eight goals, while Lillie Wrigley scored six. For Dunolly, Leah Davis scored five goals, while Kate Ashman added four.

The second quarter was a lot tighter, but Campbells Creek were able to maintain a six-goal lead at the long break thanks to a 12-goal to 11 quarter. Both Williams and Wrigley added six goals apiece, while Ashman added six and Davis five for Dunolly.

Campbells Creek continued to make hay in the third quarter, and increased their lead again by scoring 10 goals to eight in the term to make it a 36-28 buffer at the last change. Williams and Wrigley scored five goals apiece for the Magpies, while Ashman scored five for Dunolly, and Teagan Hovey three.

The last quarter saw Dunolly close the gap, and a little bit of nerves from the Magpies, but it was enough for them to hang on by five goals and taste success for the first time since the opening round of last season. For the Magpies, Wrigley scored four times, Williams twice and Kate Blake once, while for Dunolly, Ashman scored seven times, and Hovey three.

Campbells Creek will now be hoping to take their improved form to a clash with Natte Bealiba, while Dunolly will face a tricky task in the in-form Maryborough Giants.

Playing coach Wrigley was delighted with the win, while also sharing her relief at finally scoring the Magpies’ first win in over a year.

“We are definitely relieved. All the girls have put in a big pre-season and are dedicated to improve, but getting a win on the board shows we have come a long way from last year,” she said.

Wrigley said it was imperative to get a fast start, with Campbells Creek looking to improve on making sure they can play out four quarters of netball.

“It was a positive to get the jump on Dunolly at the start. We had our wing attack go down in the third quarter, so I think we had to change the court up a little bit, and change the game in the last quarter, but we were quick to reset and get the possession of the ball back when Dunolly started fighting back,” she said.

“We have been a lot more competitive. We’ve been able to stick with teams, but I think we’ve lost the legs in the last half of the game. Maldon last week got the start on us, and we were chasing the whole game. We came out firing in the third quarter, but we lost the legs in us a little bit, but enough to stay competitive and not go down by a massive amount.”

A lot of Campbells Creek’s improvement has perhaps come down to getting the opportunity to train more consistently on their new courts, something that Wrigley attributes to the improved experience at the club.

“The new court was definitely much-needed, and a big bonus for the club. Having all the girls out on it is refreshing, and when it gets dark, the new lights make it unreal. We’re able to see and they are now wanting to be there, and it throws positive vibes for the whole club,” she said.

“Having the fresh surface is a big bonus, and it’s a great thing overall.”

With a largely-changed A grade lineup, it’s been imperative for Wrigley to get the togetherness they have craved at the Magpies.

“We only had three returning A graders from last year, and we promoted three B graders who I see massive potential in, and there’s a lot to work with,” she said.

“There were also three newbies who haven’t played ever or haven’t played in three or four years. It’s definitely a new team, and we’re working on gelling together.

“As the season goes, I think we will improve and getting to know where we are on the court will be good, but it’s definitely a new-look team and I’m absolutely thrilled with them all.”

Wrigley will be hoping the Magpies stay competitive with Natte Bealiba next week, who themselves are coming off a third win in a row against Talbot from the weekend’s play.

“We want to pick up a few games and get a few wins on the board. Going into Natte, we wish to stay competitive and fingers crossed it is a close game and we can stick with them throughout. I think we have to take it as it comes and come out firing,” she said.

“As long as we stay competitive and come off better than we did last season, I’ll be chuffed.”

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