Sport
17 June, 2025
Saints defeat Maldon 68-19 to fly into top eight
The Trentham Saints have stormed their way into the top eight thanks to a dominant 68-19 victory over the Maldon Bombers.
After starting the season 0-5-1, Trentham has racked up three consecutive victories to give themselves a two-point cushion from the chasing pack after nine rounds.
The Saints got off to a terrific start, as their constant full-court pressure strangled the Bombers to three goals in the first quarter, allowing Trentham to build a 21-goal lead at quarter time.
With Kasey Button unavailable, Sharna Ford and Hayley Bourke were tasked with getting the Saints off to a strong start immediately, and they delivered with Ford scoring 17 and Bourke making seven in the first quarter.
Midcourt trio Carly Elderfield, Brooke Healy and Stevie Courtney kept dictating the contest for the Saints in the second quarter, as increased their advantage to 36 goals at half time.
Bourke and Ford maintained their first-quarter form into the second term, combining for 19 goals from just 23 attempts.
Motivated to keep fighting in the second half, Maldon brought on Claire Hamilton at goal defence, who alongside Emma Webb played well to limit Trentham’s scoring in the third quarter.
Even as Maldon upped their defensive pressure, Trentham all but sealed the victory by three quarter time, leading by 46 goals thanks to eight goals by Ford and six goals by Bourke.
In a credit to their character, the Bombers continued to fight throughout the fourth quarter, leading to a highly competitive 11-8 final term in favour of the Saints.
Five goals in the final period allowed Ford to finish as the games leading scorer with 39 goals from 50 attempts, finishing with a shooting percentage of 78 percent.
Even after slightly cooling in the second half, Bourke was dangerous throughout the contest for the Saints, ending with 29 goals after six in the final quarter.