Sport
28 August, 2023
Trentham confidently account for Navarre to move on to semi-final
Trentham have progressed to a semi-final date with Lexton following a confident victory over Navarre at Camp Reserve. The Saints were able to shut down the Hoppers gradually, and were able to benefit in a performance that yielded the second-most...
Trentham have progressed to a semi-final date with Lexton following a confident victory over Navarre at Camp Reserve.
The Saints were able to shut down the Hoppers gradually, and were able to benefit in a performance that yielded the second-most goals for their season.
It was a tight opening term, with the Saints enjoying more opportunities, but with a tinge of nerves, as Hayley Bourke and Sharna Ford missed six opportunities apiece. At the other end, Darcy Crawford and Erin Chisholm made the most of their chances, and scores were level at 13 after the opening change.
In the second term, it was Trentham who started to assume control, as Bourke and Ford straightened up underneath the ring, scoring eight goals apiece, while Navarre could only muster 10 goals throughout the quarter.
With a six-goal gap, there was still plenty on the line, and it was the Saints who continued to lead the way. as they added 13 goals to nine to ensure they would take a 10-goal gap going into the final change.
The Saints finished full of running, even with changes which saw Charlie Copeland move to wing attack for Holly Wheeldon, while Jade Cass returned to the game at wing defence after starting at goal defence.
At the other end, Navarre did everything in their power to keep their season alive, substituting Jacana Gordon for Annabelle Price, with Rachel Wood moving back to goal defence.
But it was Trentham’s day, scoring 13 goals to seven to prove too strong in the end.
Bourke finished with 32 goals, while Ford scored 23. For Navarre, Crawford scored 27 goals, and Chisholm 12.
Trentham coach Ford said a full team effort was required to progress.
“I’m rapt. It’s great to go on to the next final. A few new players and a few older players have helped us, as well as our depth. There was 100 percent effort from everyone, which was great,” she said.
Ford praised the defensive unit, which allowed them to contain the Hoppers’ dangerous goal threats of Chisholm and Crawford.
“Our defence keeps us in the contest. We’ve had new players who are leaders and have pulled in our defence as a result,” she said.
The 55 goals Trentham scored was their second-best return of the season, behind their 69-goal effort against Newstead, something that kept Ford happy, given the unpredictability of the Saints’ goal third, which boasts plenty of options.
“There is a lot of pressure in finals, particularly in the goal third. It’s good to have confidence in all our options, and plenty of girls who can play at both ends,” she said.
Ford will now look to end Lexton’s season in straight sets, saying she has drawn inspiration from the Tigers’ run last season, having finished fifth, but making a grand final.
“We’ll look to repeat our performance against Lexton. We were missing a few players last time around, so we know we can give it 100 percent,” she said.
“It’s exciting coming in as underdogs. Hopefully all goes well going forward.”