Sport
29 August, 2022
Maldon turn tables on Trentham for semi final clash
TRENTHAM (37) def by MALDON (41) It was billed as one of Maldon’s better wins in recent history — and now the Bombers will look ahead to a semi-final berth against Natte Bealiba on Sunday thanks to a four-goal victory over Trentham. The Bombers...
TRENTHAM (37) def by MALDON (41)
It was billed as one of Maldon’s better wins in recent history — and now the Bombers will look ahead to a semi-final berth against Natte Bealiba on Sunday thanks to a four-goal victory over Trentham.
The Bombers were able to turn around a 24-goal loss to the Saints earlier in the season with a performance that saw them lead at every change to progress to the next week of the finals.
The first quarter was a tight affair, although the Bombers were looking quite dangerous. They were able to take a nine-goal to eight lead at the first change, but they had also missed nine shots at goal which could have extended their lead.
The Bombers dominated play in the second quarter, but their inaccuracy problems reared their head again, with just nine goals from 25 attempts. In contrast to that, the Saints were staying with them, making the most of their opportunities to score eight goals from 12 attempts to keep in touch, trailing 16-18 at the long break.
A goal-for-goal affair was the theme of the third quarter tussle, with both teams scoring 12 goals apiece. However, despite that, it was Maldon that continued to dictate play, with many great intercepts from their defensive duo of Claire Hamilton and Hayley Peake allowing them to move the ball through their midcourt.
Maldon also had to make changes at half time, with Jaylea Ford coming off, and Katie Tong shifting from wing defense to goal attack. Tong was handy in her role, scoring four goals for the quarter.
With the game on the line, Maldon were able to be the better team, continually starving the Saints of opportunities in the goal circle with excellent defensive play. They were able to score 11 goals to nine in the final quarter to eventually run out 41-37 winners.
Bombers’ coach Kim Williams was thrilled with her team’s defensive pressure throughout the afternoon, which was key to their victory.
“Our defensive pressure is what we have concentrated on in training, and it came off. Finals is what it is all about, the 16 rounds prior didn’t matter too much, as long as you get into the finals, it’s anyone’s game,” she said.
The Bombers will now look to spring a surprise on a Natte Bealiba team who will be looking to bounce back from their qualifying final loss to Carisbrook, and Williams has the belief that Maldon can achieve anything if they can replicate their level of performance from Sunday.
“I think if we apply exactly what we applied and go in with the confidence we have right now, winning by four goals, if they play like they did, we can overcome anyone,” she said.
“It was an emotional win. We’ll go again next week and see how we go.”
Williams also paid tribute to her mid-court mix, saying that they were crucial to controlling the pace of the game.
“We have Meg Tong, Katie Tong, Taige Weir and Carly Murdoch as our midfielders, they are little but they have a lot of spunk and know how to apply that pressure,” she said.