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Sport

4 September, 2023

Lexton takes care of Trentham to set the stage for Avoca prelim

LEXTON (53) def TRENTHAM (33) Lexton have charged into a preliminary final meeting with Avoca by quelling the dangerous Trentham offence in a 20-goal victory. The Tigers were clinical in leading virtually the entire game, and were able to enjoy...

By Michael Thompson

Lexton’s Jenna Field gets a hand on the ball to thwart Trentham’s Hayley Bourke. Photo: 050923 10
Lexton’s Jenna Field gets a hand on the ball to thwart Trentham’s Hayley Bourke. Photo: 050923 10

LEXTON (53) def TRENTHAM (33)

Lexton have charged into a preliminary final meeting with Avoca by quelling the dangerous Trentham offence in a 20-goal victory.

The Tigers were clinical in leading virtually the entire game, and were able to enjoy a brilliant performance from star defender Jenna Field which helped set up the victory.

Lexton made the better start in scoring 12 goals during the opening term, while restricting Trentham to just eight in response.

The second quarter saw the Tigers continue to roll at good efficiency, having posted 13 goals from 16 shots, while Trentham were just unable to keep up, scoring eight of their own to go into the break nine goals down.

The Saints were unable to generate enough opportunities to punish Lexton for some inaccuracy in the third term, with the Tigers scoring 12 goals from 20 shots. Instead, the third quarter belonged to Field and her defensive sidekick, Caitlin Howell, who repelled the Saints’ forward thrusts with many intercepts, and helped keep the Saints to just seven goals from 10 shots.

The Tigers were able to have their best offensive quarter of the day in the last term, scoring 16 goals, while the Saints scored 10 more goals.

Rachel Phelan scored 33 goals for the Tigers, while Leesa Donhardt added 20.

For Trentham, Sharna Ford scored 18 goals, while Hayley Bourke finished with 15.

Lexton coach Shenae Haintz was thrilled with the Tigers’ application throughout the day.

“We needed to come out firing, and we knew we had to come out stronger after last week. We knew we had to win to come back next week, and that’s a lot of pressure in itself to come back and fight hard. But the girls stepped it up straight away and got four consistent quarters,” she said.

Haintz was complimentary of Field’s performance as she denied Trentham countless opportunities.

“Jenna is amazing. She wants to hunt, and when she does, she gets so many intercepts, and she goes for everything. She has an extremely positive attitude and has a good crack at her opponents every week,” she said.

The star quartet of Julia Parkin, Kimberley Roberts, Phelan and Donhardt also earned praise from Haintz.

“That quartet has amazing finals experience, and some of the younger girls might not have that yet. I’m proud of everyone, they did it for the club, which was nice,” she said.

Haintz said it was imperative that the girls keep it straightforward in their preliminary final clash with Avoca, having lost to them twice during the home and away campaign.

“We can go in with plenty of confidence. The girls stepped up and did what we had to do. It flowed really well through the court, and our attackers really pulled through in front of goal,” she said.

“All we have to do is play basic netball, convert off our centre passes, and punish every turnover we get. The more we slow it down for Avoca going into the ring, the more chance we will have at being able to intercept. It will be key for us.

“We want a nice close game, and we want to get over the line. We have some fresh legs on the sideline to bring on who we need at any time. I have full confidence in the squad after our efforts.”

Lexton’s Kimberley Roberts again showed all her experience in the Tigers’ win. Photo: 050923 11
Lexton’s Jenna Field gets a hand on the ball to thwart Trentham’s Hayley Bourke. Photo: 050923 10
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