KDL | Eagles remain unbeaten following win over Nagambie

By James Kleeman

Jul 17, 2022

In control: Shepparton East’s Kara Pattison helped her side to a solid win on Saturday. Photo by Megan Fisher

Shepparton East is the only unbeaten Kyabram District League A-grade netball side, after the Eagles produced a dominant 53-31 win over Nagambie in round 13 on Saturday.

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The win strengthens the Eagles’ hold atop the KDL ladder, opening up a four-point gap over the second-placed Lakers.

Shepparton East mentor Erynn Hueston said she couldn’t be prouder of her side’s efforts on the weekend.

“Hats off to our girls, I couldn’t ask for anything more of them yesterday,” she said.

“It was a great feeling to come away with the win, we’ll enjoy it, but we know that there’s still more work to do.”

Neither side gave the other an inch early, Hueston said, with both teams feeling the heat of the physical battle.

Eagles mid-courter Mia Jeffery was forced off with an ankle injury in the first term, before Nagambie lost one of their own shortly thereafter.

“The first half was really tight and defensive and nothing could separate the two sides,” Hueston said.

“Our mid-courter Mia went off with an injury in the first quarter and then one of their goalers went off only minutes later.

“We played with some nerves but once we settled we got into our groove and we were able to take control after that.”

A number of key contributors stood up for the Eagles, with Leticia Keady a particular standout in East’s defensive end.

Ella McLean, who came on for Jeffery, did a “fantastic” job at wing-attack after playing a full game of B-grade.

“A win like that, against a top team, doesn’t come from one player, you need the whole team to stand up and credit to the girls because that’s what happened,” Hueston said.

“Our defenders worked hard and that flowed into our attacking end.

“Leticia played a great game in defence, while Ella did a phenomenal job coming on and playing out the match.”

The task doesn’t get any easier for the Eagles, who face an in-form Dookie United side next week.

The Thunder clinched a resounding 72-34 win over Longwood on Saturday.

Around the courts, Merrigum survived a serious Murchison-Toolamba scare, overcoming the Hoppers by the slimmest of margins in a thrilling one-point win.

Avenel secured its fifth win of the season with a 58-32 triumph over Stanhope, while Lancaster overcame Undera, 52-38.

Girgarre produced a dominant 58-32 win over Longwood to complete round 13 action.