On Sunday the Busselton Magpies enjoyed home games at the Geographe Leisure Centre hosting the Harvey Brunswick Leschenault (HBL) Lions.
The Magpies League team came up against the experienced HBL Lions lineup, with a young new team the Magpies had their work cut out for them.
The first quarter was fast paced and went goal for goal with only a three-goal difference at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw HBL attack and shoot well with Sheridan Duke asserting her dominance in the goal circle, which saw the margin out to five goals at half-time.
The young Maggie's rallied together along with some experienced players to outscore the opposition in the third.
They put themselves in a good position going into the last.
Even though the young Maggie's outscored the lions again in the last quarter, they fell short of taking out the win by two goals, with the Lions winning 51-49.
The League team have a bye next weekend while the 2019 season sees the introduction of Masters.
Magpies' Masters play their first game at home at the Geographe Leisure Centre, 1.15pm on April 13.
Get courtside to see them in action.
While in other exciting netball news Magpies players Riley Culnane, Brooke Gibson, Ella Taylor and Charlie Allen head off to Nationals representing WA in the 19s and 17s State Teams; with Culnane named as vice captain.
We wish them and all the South West players the best of luck as they represent WA at the National Netball Championships in Queensland this week.
The 18s Magpies first quarter was closely contested with both teams trying to find their rhythm.
Tight defence by the Magpies ensured a quarter time score 10-4.
Second quarter saw HBL struggle to convert with the Magpies tightening their defence and the shooters getting their eye in.
Half-time score was a strong 25-7 to the Magpies.
The Magpies made many half-time changes to see a new fresh team.
A fluent mid court, tight defence and accurate shooting saw a three-quarter score of 40-15.
In the fourth quarter the Magpies started out strongly and kept the pressure high.
Fast passages of play saw the final score at 56-19.
The 16's Busselton were missing several players including Jordan Sapsford, Jenna Begley, Kalani Bate-Henry and Tamsin Falconer, so looked quite different from the preceding week.
The first quarter was fast-paced, with coach Beth Stokes calling for patience from her young team.
The quarter was typified by strong rebounding, and some great interceptions, with Emma Jackson shrugging off early nerves and performing strongly in attack.
Overall, a slightly nervous start by the young Magpies, but a strong quarter was had, finishing 17 - 4 in their favour.
The second quarter saw the Lions fight back strongly.
However, players such as Isabelle Hewitt, Arielle Hockey and Ella Griffin stepped in and contributed strongly.
The Magpies showed poise and balance throughout the quarter, with strong balanced passing typifying the period of play.
The quarter saw Busselton push their lead out to 34 - 9.
The third quarter commenced with Lions fighting back with more intensity and a faster-paced style of play, keeping the Magpies on their toes.
Undeterred the Magpies continued with their dominant form, and with strong defence from Montana Tenardi and Dakota Nelmes, plus strong leading from Felicity Watson, rounded out the third quarter 50 - 14.
The Magpies continued to stretch their lead through the final period, where passages of play into the Magpies attacking zone were met with some intense defence, including a warning being issued to a Lions player, however Sally Conroy and Nikki Smith continued to shoot strongly to the final siren, running out winners 67 - 22.
The 16s and 18s will be heading to Bridgetown for next week's keenly anticipated encounter with the 18s finishing running up Premiers to the Ravens last season.
They are playing on Sunday, April 14.
