Sport
22 July, 2024
Carisbrook clear in top four
CARISBROOK (48) def LEXTON (42) We’re one step closer to knowing the outlook of the top four, with Carisbrook taking an important six-goal victory over Lexton at Carisbrook. For the second time this season, the Redbacks had to come from behind to...
CARISBROOK (48) def LEXTON (42)
We’re one step closer to knowing the outlook of the top four, with Carisbrook taking an important six-goal victory over Lexton at Carisbrook.
For the second time this season, the Redbacks had to come from behind to run the Tigers down, although they didn’t give up as big a lead as their last meeting this time around.
Still, the Tigers were the better team in the opening term, with Kimberley Roberts taking charge through the centre and giving Rachel Phelan and Leesa Donhardt good looks in front of goal, which they duly converted to lead 13-9 at the first change. Phelan scored eight goals and Donhardt five for the Tigers, while Paige McLean scored five goals and Abbey Nalder four for Carisbrook.
Lexton held onto their lead throughout the second quarter, although Carisbrook were a lot more efficient in front of goal than they were in the opening stanza. Still, the Tigers had all the answers throughout the first half, and scored 13 goals to 12 to lead 26-21 at the main break. Phelan scored nine goals and Donhardt four for the Tigers, while Nalder and McLean scored six goals apiece for the Redbacks.
Carisbrook made a move at the long break, injecting Andrea Schafer into the game, and slowly but surely, it was making a difference, with her influence helping the Redbacks close the gap by scoring 12 goals to nine, trailing 33-35 at the final change. Schafer scored seven goals and McLean five for the Redbacks, while Donhardt scored five goals and Phelan four for the Tigers.
The Redbacks’ midcourt was able to assume control in the last quarter, moving the ball with confidence, which allowed Schafer and McLean to score at will, while at the other end, Lexton were unable to generate many scoring opportunities, with the Redbacks hitting the front for the first time when it mattered most.
Schafer scored 10 goals to finish with 17 for the day, while McLean led all scorers for the Redbacks with five goals in the last to score 21. For Lexton, Phelan scored six goals to finish with 27, while Donhardt scored one to end up with 15.
An important top four battle for Carisbrook now looms against Natte Bealiba, while Lexton have a bye ahead of a similarly huge game against the Giants.