We were still in first gear until halfway through the second quarter but then we started to get some momentum. The second half was much better.
- Beck O'Connell
BILLABONG Crows strengthened their position on top of the ladder with a 59-35 win over second-placed Murray Magpies at Urana Road Oval on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The victory saw Beck O’Connell’s line-up move six premiership points clear of the Magpies with five rounds remaining.
While young goal shooter Dariah Farrington played well for the home team, it clearly missed the drive of Latoya Mahuru.
O’Connell said she was particularly pleased with the Crows’ performance after half-time.
“It was a team effort,” O’Connell said.
“We were still in first gear until halfway through the second quarter but then we started to get some momentum.
“The second half was much better.”
The Crows rotated shooters Rikki Robb, Bec Evans and Brooke Wilson while goal-keeper Brooke Morley was outstanding with her second efforts and composure under pressure.
Felease Beale worked tirelessly all over the court and wing attack Paige Moloney won almost every centre pass.
The Crows are set to be further strengthened after this weekend’s bye by the return of reliable defender Harriet Simpson.
They have lost only one match this season and are in the box seat to go one better than last year when they lost to Brock-Burrum in the grand final at Walbundrie.
Lockhart sprung a surprise by defeating Rand-Walbundrie-Walla by three goals at Walla.
The Demons led from the opening whistle with first-year shooter Ruby Bouffler making a fine start to the match.
Jess Kotzur played well for the Giants.
Holbrook won a hard-fought clash against rivals Culcairn 37-29.
A young Osborne line-up stayed in touch with the top six by defeating Henty 46-21 at Henty.
Howlong defeated CDHBU 45-30 and Jindera had the answers against Brock-Burrum, winning 34-24.
There will be no play this weekend due to the general bye.