The 18s Magpies had a reshuffled lineup again this week with South West Jets players out and Sunny Manners getting the call up to play in Reserves but this gave two youngsters from the 15s squad the opportunity to play up and they relished the opportunity with some impressive play.
The Magpies made a shaky start and took a while to settle in, narrowly taking the quarter 10-9.
In the second Teniele Smith and Hannah Bowden worked hard in defence to create opportunities for the Magpies.
Nikki Trigwell at wing defence provided plenty of drive and with improved decision making the Magpies transitioned smoothly into attack.
The speedy Phoebe Pethybridge found the circle edge and combined with Hannah Taylor they hit their targets with Jaymee Dahlenberg and Ruby Simonetti working together in goals, the Magpies stepped it up to take the lead 23-17.
Then it was young Asha Hughes making her debut in the 18s team who injected some fresh legs and height into the Magpies goal circle as the Magpies found another gear with a massive 19-6 quarter.
In the last quarter changes were made to the centre court with Ivy Golding back into wing defence, Taylor to centre and Pethybridge into wing attack.
A determined South Bunbury hit back with the Magpies unable to adjust with a final quarter 12-13 but it wasn’t enough as the Magpies finished off with a 54-36 win to hold second spot on the ladder.
After an 11-goal win in a fightback last time against South Bunbury, the Magpies Reserves were determined and consistent - taking control in the second and building to a 55-34 win.
In the absence of key players, goal attack Beth Beckett and wing attack Georgia O'Neill played front space, with great feed to holding shooter Sundara Manners for a 12-14 start.
Defence changes in the second with goal defence Abby Craig's and wing Ash Farmers tight one-on-one having an immediate impact, taking a 26-23 lead by forcing turnovers and limiting space to damaging WA South's wing attach Sam Atkins.
South Bunbury brought on defensive height in the third with goal keeper Levendekkers, Beckett capitalising on screens from Manners to extend the lead 37-28.
Continuing from a spirited front ball contest with mobile shooter Paris Schoder, GK Shukia Riley rose to the challenge of Levendekkers in the final term, firing up to take high ball and clever D work with Craig holding Souths to just six goals to the Magpies 18. Final score 55-34.
Magpies Reserves hold second ladder position leading into finals.
Busselton Magpies League team had to dig deep into the nest to field a team this week against South Bunbury, as the South West Jets had a fixture clash which saw a number of key players absent from the line up.
The new look team were slow to find their rhythm and South Bunbury relished the opportunity to put on a strong challenge.
The Magpies found themselves one goal down at quarter time on the back of some strong shooting by Souths Chelsey Catalano.
In the second term Busselton found their own timing up front with Yasmin Riley and Steph Millen converting regularly from multiple turnovers.
Belinda Taylor, a fresh face for Magpies this week, brought strong mid-court drives and the long court connections the Magpies had sought.
The half-time score was 20-18 with Busselton in the lead.
Shoring up the defence line with Tam Thornley and a versatile Taylor, Busselton pushed ahead with vigour in the third term and South Bunbury seemed to have run their race making multiple and regular changes to try and stem the tide.
The final spell saw Busselton up by 12.
The Magpies flew to an encouraging 19-goal win 49-30, showing great depth and improvement in the club.
