SWNFL Round 4 Netball saw the Busselton Magpies host the Eaton Boomers at the Geographe Leisure Centre with the 16s and League taking to the courts.
The young Magpies started impressively, particularly through the centre court, with Jenna Begley and Isobel Legros combining to move the ball into attack.
Emma Jackson put the shots away and with strong defence from Kalani Bate-Henry and Dakota Nelmes, the Boomers were under pressure. The Boomers kept in touch with some accurate long-range shooting. The scoreline at the first break was 20 - 9 in favour of the Magpies.
The second quarter saw Isabelle Hewitt and Felicity Watson enter the game.
Watson contributed to the Magpies defensive pressure through the centre court along with Ella Mullumby who was creating an almost impenetrable wall in the goal defence position and with Dakota Nelmes rebounding strongly in defence the Boomers had limited scoring opportunities. Magpies Jordan Sapsford put on an impressive display of accurate shooting with the Magpies lead stretching out to 37 - 16 at half-time.
The Magpies freshened up their centre court with Sally Conroy and Tasmin Falconer stepping in.
The Boomers also made changes and appeared to regain some composure, applying pressure up and down the court, particularly from their player in goal defence whilst the new Magpie line-up settled in.
The quarter was typified by a flurry of pinpoint passes by Jenna Begley, and strong offensive rebounding by Conroy, with the Magpies lead out to 56 - 23.
The final term saw Lucy Burge step onto the court, and she soon made her presence know with an accurate display of shooting. The Magpies appeared a little flat in the final term, however, regained the energy that had typified the first three-quarters of the game, and ran out convincing victors, 64 - 30 at the siren.
The Under 16 Magpies meet MLC at the Leschenault Leisure Centre on May 4 for their next encounter which should be an exciting game.
In the League game with a new lineup the Boomers ran away with the first quarter as the Magpies struggled to adjust.
Down 3-18 at quarter time the Magpies made changes and dug deep in the second quarter to turn the game around. Sunny Manners (goals) and Shukia Riley (defence) entered the game. With the combination of Ash Ritson, Georgia O'Neill and Meg Bolton controlling the ball through the centre court the efforts of turnovers from end to end were rewarded with the Magpies winning the second quarter 11-8.
Further changes were made at half time with Mia Pethybridge moving into centre court with O'Neill and Teniele Smith coming on at GD to work with Riley in an attempt to shut down the Boomers tall and formidable shooter.
The Magpies came within six goals before the Boomers steadied. Yasmin Riley worked with Sundara Manners for a combined 15-goal quarter as they outscored the Boomers 15-12.
Going into the final term Yasmin Riley came off injured and the Magpies were forced to make changes to cover her in the goal circle.
The Boomers proved too strong with easy transitions down the court and with missed opportunities for the Magpies the Boomers ran out the game 55-38. To the Magpies credit they never gave up and will be sure to challenge this team in their next encounter.
The Magpies League team are still chasing their first win for the season with a 2018 grand final re-match against the in-form Bunbury Bulldogs on May 19.
