Women’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review – Pennant Hills Demons vs. North Shore Bombers

Written By Lucas Holmes

 

Recap

The Pennant Hills Demons return home after a convincing seven-goal victory over Macquarie University, whilst North Shore Bombers were defeated by two points by fellow premiership contender Manly Warringah.

Despite the windy conditions at Mike Kenny Oval, this was a highly entertaining clash. With the margin not going beyond three goals, both sides physicality at the contest was elite. North Shore’s experience proved crucial in the game’s final moments.

First quarter

From the opening bounce, Brianna-Lee Wade launched the Demons deep into attack but they were unable to capitalise. However, as the ball was kept exclusively in their forward half Pennant Hills only had to wait three minutes for their opening goal.

Wade once again sent a high ball inside the forward 50. After she worked to the next contest, she intercepted a handball deep in the forward pocket, straightened and kicked truly.

Pennant Hills made it two goals in a matter of minutes, Wade by far the most influential player on the ground in the games early stages kicked to a one-on-one in the forward pocket. Kaitlyn Noble was rewarded with a free-kick for being held in the marking contest. Noble kept the ball low taking the breeze out of play and the Demons had two goals in the opening seven minutes.

North Shore gradually worked their way back into the contest through the middle part of the quarter. After repeat forward 50 entries Georgia Walker (who spent time off the ground nursing a wrist injury) put the ball to the hotspot to where Isadora Mcleay went back with the flight of the football kicking off the ground for the Bombers first.

This would be the last goal of the first quarter with the Pennant Hills Demons 2.2.14 leading the North Shore Bombers 1.2.8 at quarter time.

Second quarter

After ferocious pressure around the football from both teams to start the second quarter, North Shore struck first on the scoreboard. After multiple forward 50 entries, Hayley Fell was pushed out of a marking contest 20 metres out from goal. She made no mistake from the set shot putting North Shore in the lead for the first time.

The Bombers made it three consecutive goals in the latter stages of the second quarter. After an intercept mark by Dominique Carruthers on the half-back flank, North Shore was able to transition the ball through the corridor after some chain handballs found Hurrell who went deep into the forward pocket. Alyce Keating collected the ball in stride then snapped from the pocket to open up a nine-point Bombers lead at halftime.

North Shore Bombers 3.6.24 lead the Pennant Hills Demons 2.3.15.

Third quarter

Both sides went goal for goal throughout the third quarter. North Shore made it four consecutive goals early, a 50-metre free-kick awarded for a player within the protected area saw Carruthers convert from point-blank range to get the bombers off to an ideal start.

Pennant Hills off the back of some impressive forward pressure struck back, Alexandra Wade had her shot interrupted by a well-timed bump. However, the ball ended up with Eliza Harvey who converted from just outside the goal square.

Keating’s second goal came as a result of a hold off the ball in a ruck contest, the margin now 16 points.

The Demons were able to get a goal back right on the three-quarter time siren as Ella Morris was pushed out of the contest, she then converted the set shot from 15 metres.

This made the score Pennant Hills Demons 4.5.29 North Shore Bombers 5.8.38 at three-quarter time.

Fourth quarter

The start of the final quarter went according to the textbook for Pennant Hills, with Wade once again the instigator. The Bombers defensive press allowing a ball over the back into space which Harvey gathered on the run and goaled smartly. The margin back within a goal.

Ultimately this would be the last goal scored in the match with North Shore holding onto the win by four points.

North Shore Bombers 5.8.38 defeating Pennant Hills Demons 5.5.35.

For North Shore Dominque Carruthers stood tall when the game was in the balance, so did Zoe Hurrell. On the Pennant Hills side, Eleanor Rugg and Eliza Harvey were significant in keeping the Demons in touch during the match.

 

Pennant Hills Demons 5.5.35

Goal kickers: E. Harvey 2, K. Noble, E. Morris, B. Wade

Best: C. Owen, K. Quinlan, T. Duguid, M. Hare, L. Maynard, E. Morris

 

North Shore Bombers 5.8.38

Goal kickers: A. Keating 2, H. Fell, I. Mcleay, D. Carruthers

Best: Z. Hurrell, A. Keating, O. Edwards, I. Mcleay, D. Carruthers, B. Gugger

 

Premier Division Women’s – Match of the Round next week; 

Sydney University vs. Pennant Hills Demons – 4:20pm Sydney University No.1 Oval

 

Photo by Merrillie Redden