netball australia defeats Samoa

Australia (78) Defeat Samoa (47)

By Netball Australia

Australia took the court for their third match of the 2006 Commonwealth Games this afternoon and defeated Samoa 78-47 in captain Sharelle McMahon’s 75th test match for Australia.

Australia started the match strongly, getting the ball into their goal circle with ease and capitalising on the accuracy and partnership of captain Sharelle McMahon and rookie Susan Pratley. Australia’s mid court defence put pressure on the Samoan attacks, making their opponents struggle to get the ball down into their goal third and into the circle to their shooters. The score at the end of the first term was 23 to Australia, 9 to Samoa with Australia shooting at 92 per cent.

GS: Susan Pratley, GA: Sharelle McMahon, WA: Jessica Shynn, C: Natalie von Bertouch, WD: Alison Broadbent, GD: Bianca Chatfield, GK: Susan Fuhrmann

In the second quarter, Samoa brought Monika Fuimaono off the bench and in as Goal Shooter, moving Catherine Latu into Goal Keeper to thwart the Australian dynamic shooter duo. Australia’s speed down court was exceptional at times, keeping the Samoan defence in their wake. The half time score was Australia 46-23.

GS: Susan Pratley, GA: Sharelle McMahon, WA: Jessica Shynn, C: Natalie von Bertouch, WD: Alison Broadbent, GD: Bianca Chatfield, GK: Susan Fuhrmann

The third quarter saw a new attacking line up for Australia with vice-captain Catherine Cox and Megan Dehn coming on in goals and Natalie Avellino in as Wing Attack. The move was an instant success seeing Australia score 11 goals to Samoa’s four in the first seven minutes of the term. Samoa fought back making Australia work hard to get the ball into their shooters and forcing errors from the home team. Samoa’s pressure resulted in Australia only able to put another four goals on the board for the remainder of the term.

GS: Catherine Cox, GA: Megan Dehn, WA: Natalie Avellino, C: Natalie von Bertouch, WD: Alison Broadbent, GD: Bianca Chatfield, GK: Susan Fuhrmann

In the fourth term Australia brought on their final two players, Selina Gilsenan and Janine Ilitch into defence to keep the Samoan’s shooting opportunities to a minimum. Samoa started strongly forcing Australia to turnover the ball. Samoa’s Centre went down with only a few minutes to go with an ankle injury and was assisted off the court. Australia fought hard and put up another five goals before the final whistle was blown.

GS: Catherine Cox, GA: Megan Dehn, WA: Natalie Avellino, C: Natalie von Bertouch, WD: Selina Gilsenan, GD: Janine Ilitch, GK: Bianca Chatfield

Although the scoreboard looked as though it was a convincing win, the early lead Australia put on the board in the first half ensured Samoa was up for a touch ask to catch the current reigning Gold Medallist.

Australia will match up against world number three Jamaica tomorrow at 6.30pm.