Magpies League team took the highway South to take on Augusta Margaret River on Sunday.
Bouncing back from a slow start the last time these teams met, the Magpies busted out of the gate with a blistering 21-goal first quarter on the back of some full court defence and elegant shooting from Maia Bratten and young jet Brooke Gibson.
AMR were feisty and competitive and scored 10 of their own, with Jessie Whitehead continuing her excellent form shooting long bombs from the outset.
In the second quarter the Magpies were more frustrated in the shooting circle by the hustle of AMR defenders, who challenged the front space and forced errors on the circle feed.
Ella Taylor worked hard to regain possession for Busselton with strong rebounding and hands over ball.
The half-time score was 38-20.
Magpies were called upon to increase the supply to the shooters and so played with greater control in the third term.
AMR tried to stay in the fight but were thwarted by tight one-on-one defence from Tenieka Handley and Riley Culnane.
These turnovers saw plenty of ball flow freely to the business end and delivered surely by Ash Ritson, Magpie Coffee Cafe player of the day.
At the final change the Magpies led 62-26 but as the Busselton side looked to polish their form in the prelude to the finals next week, they entered full swoop mode.
Consistent effort from wing defence Rennie Sansom and gritty ball gains from the tenacious Tammy Thornley allowed the Magpies to maintain their impressive score rate, running away 82-36 winners.
The 18s also came out firing despite a new lineup as they tried out different combinations with finals kicking off next week.
Sunny Manners and Matilda Cann were impressive in goals whilst Jaymee Dahlenberg and Mia Pethybridge dictated through the mid court.
Phoebe Pethybridge was tasked with applying defensive pressure in the circle teaming up with Teniele Smith.
They created turnovers and transitioned into attack with Nikki Trigwell providing plenty of backup.
The Magpies took an early lead 19-5.
Further changes were made with Mia Pethybridge moving into goals whilst Manners had a rest.
Hannah Bowden came on at keeper along with Hannah Taylor at centre. Another solid quarter 17-6.
They adjusted effortlessly to another new defence lineup with Manners moving into Keeper to provide extra height.
They continued with the same intensity throughout but started to get a little untidy and only presented with one option at the ball as the Hawks kept fighting.
Young Jets players Smith and Pethybridge were given a well deserved rest as the Magpies went into the last quarter leading 53-15.
Manners was swung back into goals working hard to get front position and also holding strongly she combined beautifully with Cann as Dahlenberg and Taylor delivered some nice ball into the Magpies goalies.
Defensively Pethybridge and Bowden worked hard to create the turnovers as the Magpies continued with the same intensity taking the quarter 20-7.
The Magpies won the match 73-22 but to the Hawks credit they never gave up.
The Magpies Reserves girls started strongly against the Hawks.
Some outstanding full court defensive pressure saw the Magpies defensive line win lots of turnover balls and take a 13-7 lead into quarter-time.
The second quarter saw the same defensive pressure from the Magpies, with Abby Craig providing a Player of the Day performance.
The Magpies attack line showed improved control and were able to capitalise on all the turnover ball their defenders were winning – extending their lead to 30-15.
The Magpies ran away with the second half as they tested different combinations in preparation for their finals campaign next week.
Final score 54-24.
SEMI FINALS are on September 9 at Eaton Recreation Centre with all four Magpies teams playing.
Reserves versus Bunbury at 10.30am;
Open vs HBL at 12pm;
18s vs Ravens at 1.30pm;
15s vs Ravens at 3pm.
