A second half charge by Kyabram’s A-grade netball team was not enough to make up for a slow start and the Bombers are still yet to register a win in the nine-week-old 2023 Goulburn Valley league season.
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The time has arrived, however, for the team to stand up and put its first points on the board as it faces bottom team Mansfield this weekend and then 10th ranked Benalla a week later.
A seven goal loss, 37-44, against Shepparton Swans on Saturday came after the Bombers trailed by 11 goals at half-time.
Alyssa Trebilcock, who had just 10 goals in the first half, moved to shooter and Isla Carver replaced Sarah Carr in the goal shooting role.
Carver turned feeder for Treblicock, who shot 15 second half goals, while Carr did her best work in defence alongside Jemma Hall.
Kyabram outscored the Swans by four in the second half, Hollie Reid producing another best-on-court display to support Elivia Hall and Steph Higgins in the mid-court.
Carver finished the match with five goals, while Carr’s first half produced seven conversions.
Three teams share top billing in the A-grade competition, Euroa on top with a better percentage than Mooroopna and Tatura, who also have 8-1 win/loss records this year.
– Rachel McCormack’s 150th game for the club wasn’t quite enough inspiration for the Bombers to upset seventh ranked Shepparton Swans.
Kyabram sits ninth on the ladder after the three goal defeat (39-42), but with two matches against teams below it on the horizon, could return to finals contention in a fortnight.
McCormack was outstanding in her milestone match, acting again in the feeding role for top shooter Michaela Herbert. Herbert finished with 29 of the Bombers goals for the match.
Kyabram led by three at quarter-time, but that margin was cancelled out and the match was square at half-time.
The Swans won a low scoring third term by three and held that margin when the teams shot eight goals apiece in the final term.
Laura Papalia was the Bombers best mid-court player in the defeat.
– A final quarter surge and brilliant defence from the Bombers B-reserve was not enough to secure it an upset win against third ranked Shepparton Swans.
Kyabram sits sixth on the ladder, but with matches against two of the bottom three teams in the next fortnight could improve dramatically on that ranking.
A 4-4 win loss record, and a draw, has it sitting just two points outside of fourth spot after a narrow 46-48 loss to the Swans on Saturday.
Molly Carver and Elli Kiker combined for 13 goals in the final term as the Bombers went from a seven goal three-quarter-time deficit to almost pull off an amazing comeback.
At the defensive end, Tennielle Peterson and Courtney Mason were outstanding, the Bombers tied with the Swans at quarter-time before facing a one goal deficit at the half.
Kiker shot all nine of the Bombers goals in the third term, finishing with 33 for the match, as the Swans broke clear and the Bombers could not bridge the gap.
Jocelyn Gawne came onto wing attack for half the match and finished among the best players on the court.
– Kyabram’s under-17 team is aiming to make it four wins in a row this weekend after scoring its best win of the season against fourth ranked Shepparton Swans on Saturday.
In the last three weeks the Bombers have improved to the point that they are just one win off top teams Shepparton and Mooroopna, the 10 goal win (60-50) coming after another brilliant goaling display by Natasha Dodos.
She again finished with 49 goals and worked in tandem with Jemae Miller (two goals) and Isla Carver (nine goals) at different stages to give the team its seventh win of the season.
Abby Waasdrop played on a wing and then replaced Carver in the centre for the second half as the Bombers doubled a five goal half-time advantage with strong defence in the final term.
Kyabram has second-from-the-bottom Mansfield this weekend before fifth ranked Mansfield and Rochester in the following weeks.
It is due to meet top team Shepparton on July 22 (round 14).
Stella Trezise worked with Charli Westerveld in defence as the Swans were restricted to 12 opening quarter goals and gave Kyabram a seven goal lead.
Kyabram used 10 players, including Ava Pell, Grace Burnett and Tahni Davies for single quarter contributions during the match.
– Kyabram is now within striking distance of the top two teams after beating fifth ranked Shepparton Swans on Saturday.
The Bombers are now equal on points with the Swans, both teams having six wins from nine games, after beating the visiting Shepparton team by nine goals (52-43).
Another test is on the horizon as the team faces third ranked Mansfield this weekend and could move further up the ladder with a win.
Ten players were used in the win, only captain Ava Pell and goaler Hannah Messenger remaining in their goaling roles for the entire match.
Pell shot 24 goals and Messenger 28 goals as they shared the ball with quick passing in the goal circle.
Mia Stockdale worked for three quarters at centre, while Isebella Pate and Ella Hooper combined to restrict the Swans goalers in the opening half — allowing Kyabram a nine goal break at the main change.
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