Sport
12 May, 2026
Talbot go down by two goals to emphatic Lexton
In a blockbuster encounter between two of A grade’s top contenders, Lexton’s premier-ship aspirations received a tremendous lift after outlasting Talbot with an enthralling two-goal victory.
The Tigers and Hawks were expected to deliver the match of round five and they didn’t disappoint, finding themselves deadlocked at 38 apiece following a gripping three-quarters of netball.
With the game hanging on a knife-edge, Lexton’s unwavering defence once again provided the leverage for the Tigers to stay ahead during crunch time.
While Lexton preserved their undefeated start to 2026, Talbot were in a wrenching recall of their one-goal loss to Carisbrook from a fortnight ago, forced to console themselves after being on the losing end of another instant classic.
The Tigers received a massive boost to their midcourt ahead of this critical fixture, as 2025 club best and fairest Ciane Van Dyken made her season debut.
While their opponents enjoyed a key addition, the Hawks also had significant yet contrasting team news, as player-coach and sublime shooter Eleisha Phelps was a late subtraction.
Despite Phelps being ruled out, Jess White slotted in well alongside Elenoa Costello at Phelps’ goal attack, helping Talbot develop an early offensive rhythm.
Lexton also had some impressive offensive passages orchestrated by Van Dyken and Darci Berry, but Talbot’s defence, anchored by Maddy Williams, kept the visitors ahead at quarter time.
Trailing by two goals at the break, Lexton player-coach Cindy Teggerth completed a lineup overhaul.
After Caitlin Howell started the match at goal defence, standout defender Sarah Griffin came on to fill that spot in the second quarter alongside Shanae Hepworth and Teggerth, who joined the fray at wing defence.
That allowed Howell to shift back into her familiar centre position, with Van Dyken moving up into wing attack.
It didn’t take long for Teggerth’s defensive shifts to flourish, with Griffin in particular making an immediate impact off the bench.
Keen for her team to capitalise on their heightened defensive pressure, veteran Rachel Phelan took on more of the scoring responsibility after Williams and Jane Costello kept rising star Charlize Kennedy somewhat contained in the first quarter.
With goals coming at a premium during the second quarter, Lexton’s 12 goals flipped the quarter-time margin, with the Tigers now leading by two goals at half time.
Both teams came out somewhat nervously to start the second half, with the constant defensive pressure causing several uncharacteristic mistakes.
Thanks to the continued excellence of Phelan, Griffin and Hepworth, the Tigers quickly improved their ball security while maintaining their slight lead.
Then suddenly, an impressive intercept from Elenoa Costello allowed the Hawks to tie things up at 30-30.
Just as Lexton threatened to rebuild their recently relinquished margin with a 4-0 run, the Hawks responded quickly, bringing them-selves back on level terms at three-quarter time.
Despite the Tigers snatching an early centre break, Talbot remained ominously close to snatching away the lead.
Two spectacular interventions from Griffin and Hepworth gave Lexton the breathing room they so desperately wanted, boosting their lead to four.
In another moment of individual brilliance, a super shot from Elenoa Costello while she was fading out of bounds gave Talbot a needed break as they pulled themselves to within a goal.
Holding the centre pass, the Tigers were masterful with their closing possession, soaking nearly a minute off the ticking clock before Kennedy delivered the dagger with her 28th goal of the match.
Phelan provided needed stability to Lexton’s attack, converting 23 of her 28 attempts on goal.
Elenoa Costello finished with a game-high 37 goals, well supported by White, who netted 12.