Sport
13 June, 2026
Woodies’ vintage form with quick play
A BOILOVER seemed to be on the cards early in Inglewood’s A Grade netball match against Bears Lagoon Serpentine on Saturday.
A BOILOVER seemed to be on the cards early in Inglewood’s A Grade netball match against Bears Lagoon Serpentine on Saturday.
The visitors had been disappointing this season, with only two wins, while the Blues were in the top five on the ladder, among the pack chasing run-away leaders Mitiamo.
However, the Bears were on song in the first quarter, with goal shooter Ava Francis in strong form, and her Woodies counterpart Aleisha Shay less accurate than usual under pressure from Sarah Perry.
Serp was winning the mid-court battle in a fiercely contested game and went to the first change with a three-goal margin.
There was a bit of niggle, too, with several of Inglewood’s players having joined the club this season from the Bears, including coach Dani O’Toole.
She and Telani Bibby, Serp’s centre, were playing very physical netball on each other, and their intensity was infectious.
Unfortunately for the Bears, they couldn’t sustain the pressure on their opponents for the full game, which was a centrepiece of Inglewood’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
The Woodies wore a sky blue and white heritage dress harking back to the colours worn in 1951 when the club won its first netball premiership, but there was nothing old-fashioned about the play, which was quick end-to-end action in front of a big and enthusiastic crowd.
Once the hosts took control in the second half, they pulled away to a 57-42 win.
Bears coach Erin Varker was pleased that her team was “very competitive for the majority of the game” and praised the side’s all-round effort, singling out Bibby for praise.
She said the game was a physical and intense contest “in a really positive way”.
Veteran goal keeper Perry had been touch and go to play with a knee issue.
“We were so happy to have her back, she’s such an asset,” Varker said.
“She’s got a wealth of experience and is almost like a defensive assistant coach on the court.”
RESULTS
A Grade: Inglewood 10, 25, 38, 57, (57) d BL Serpentine 13, 20, 33, 42, (42). A Reserve: Inglewood 19, 33, 52, 68, (68) d BL Serpentine 7, 16, 22, 28, (28). B Grade: Inglewood d BL Serpentine 39-27. B Reserve: Inglewood 13, 23, 34, 41, (41) d BL Serpentine 6, 13, 16, 26, (26).
15 & Under: Inglewood 3, 4, 9, 12, (12) lost to BL Serpentine 6, 8, 10, 15, (15). 13 & Under: Inglewood d BL Serpentine 18-7.
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