Penola 56 d Naracoorte 47
Penola reaped the benefits of a full-strength side and defeated Naracoorte with an impressive performance in Round 11 of Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara netball.
The Eagles returned to McCorquindale Park on Saturday and had all eight players available for the first time this season.
Penola made its presence felt with strong defensive pressure which caused a number of turnovers.
Both sides lack the clinical touch in attack and passes often went a stray but the Eagles were able to take a four goal lead at quarter time.
In the second quarter, Penola was more efficient in attack but Sophie Henschke and Ash Bennier were strong in the goal circle as they picked off a number of the home side’s passes.
It was a tight quarter but the Eagles led by five goals at halftime.
The reigning premiers flexed their strength in the third quarter as they converted from turnovers and had the Demons under immense pressure from their centre passes.
Naracoorte brought on Bree Harris to make an impact but Brooke Klemm, Maddy Teakle and Tara Millard were relentless with their pressure and minimised the influence she had.
The Eagles went into the final break with a comfortable 10-goal lead.
The fourth quarter was evenly matched but April Possingham stood tall in her 200th game for the club as she shot 28 goals from 29 attempts in the second half to give her side a nine-goal win.
Klemm and Possingham were named Penola’s best players in a crucial win for the Eagles.
Penola has leapfrogged Naracoorte into fifth position on the ladder and is three points behind the fourth-placed Kybybolite.
