Sport
18 April, 2026
O’Toole pivotal in stunning opener
NERVES were fraying among the growing group of spectators around the A Grade court at Inglewood.
NERVES were fraying among the growing group of spectators around the A Grade court at Inglewood.
The finish line was in sight, and the Woodies were leading Pyramid Hill – a team which had not won for two years was in front of a team that had made the past two grand finals.
They had led by as much as eight goals in the last quarter, with goal shooter Aleisha Shay in brilliant form, but the never-say-die Bulldogs trimmed the margin to three goals, as supporters anxiously asked how long was left on the clock.
The contest was fierce, with the ball pinging from one end of the court to the other, but when the siren sounded Inglewood was triumphant, 48-44.
It had been 658 days since the Woodies had won an A Grade match, and from the neighbouring court there was wild applause from the B Grade players, who had also been victorious. Players hugged, supporters streamed onto the court and the celebrations began.
While Pyramid Hill has lost some key players to retirement, star centre Imogen Broad was back from a season at Macorna and her mid-court battle with Inglewood coach Danielle O’Toole was pivotal.
The Bulldogs led by six goals at quarter-time, but with Shay shooting 13 goals in the second term, Inglewood grabbed a five-goal lead at half-time.
Pyramid pulled that back to two goals at the final change, but the Woodies would not be denied and recorded a famous victory. Shay’s height and sure ball-handling troubled Bulldogs goal keeper Trish Soulsby, and Shay’s partnership with goal attack Teresa Fitzpatrick was rock solid.
A fresh squad and some new-found confidence may make Inglewood a team to be reckoned with in Inglewood’s 150th year.
Read More: Inglewood, Pyramid Hill