Round six of the SWNFL was proudly sponsored by the Insurance Commission of WA in partnership with Netball WA.
It was the Belt Up which is focused on increasing awareness about the importance of wearing a seat belt. All players wore red arm bands to mark the round, and remember those killed or seriously injured on country roads in WA.
The weekend kicked off with the Busselton Magpies Masters team travelling to Bunbury on Friday night to play the Bulldogs under the guidance of coach Mandy Pearce-Simonetti.
The Magpies got off to a good start scoring the first goal of the game but it was goal for goal until they edged ahead 10 - 7 at the break.
In the second quarter the Magpies pushed ahead early before the Bulldogs determinedly fought back with the Magpies maintaining their lead 17 - 14.
The third quarter started with a flurry of turnovers and the defensive pressure was impressive from both sides. The Magpies continued to edge ahead 26 - 21.
In the final quarter the Magpies raced to a 9 goal lead,before the Bulldogs got a second wind and pulled it back to 5 goals. The Magpies steadied and held on taking out the game 38 - 34.
It was a solid team effort with special mention going to Carol Hayley and Leanne Erdmann who worked extremely hard at both ends of the court.
The Belt Up Round continued on Sunday at the SW Sports Centre as the Busselton Magpies travelled to play the Bunbury Bulldogs.
In the first game of the day it was always going to be a tough match in the 18s division.
The Bulldogs came out firing and took the first quarter with the Magpies down 9-11 at the first break.
Coach Beth Stokes reshuffled the lineup adding some experience to the mix.
The Magpies stepped up with tight defence and accurate shooting taking the quarter 12-8 and snatched the lead 21-19.
The third quarter was an even tussle as both teams fought for possession of the ball with multiple turnovers.
The Magpies retained their two goal lead 31-29 going into the final quarter.
The Bulldogs created strong defensive pressure in the nail biting last quarter but struggled to find momentum against the team effort presented by the Magpies' attack and defence.
The Magpies took the game with a decisive 42-37 score line.
With the League Magpies struggling to find some form and yet to win a game for the season up against the experienced Bulldogs, who are sitting on top of the ladder one would have expected it to be a one sided game. The Magpies had other ideas and rose to the challenge.
The first quarter was neck to neck with Yasmin Riley and Maia Bratton in the goal circle shooting accurately.
Mia Pethybridge and Georgia O'Neill quickly passed the ball down the centre court, all the way to the top of the circle.
Power team Shukia Riely and Tammy Thornley both had great hands pressure and were rebound hungry, giving the Bulldogs a run for their money. The score ended even 11-11.
The second quarter was dominated again by defenders Riley and Thornley as they picked off the sharp passes into the goal circle. Centre court players Pethybridge, O'Neill and Ashlee Ritson worked hard to get the ball down the court and finished it off with some great feeding into the goal circle.
The dynamic duo of Riley and Bratton continued to impress in the goal circle as they converted their shots and the Magpies hit the lead by four goals going into the half time break 26-22.
Third quarter, meant bring on some fresh legs and three players came onto to the court.
Thornley had a rest allowing Nina Simonetti to have a run-in goal defence.
The one on one defence illustrated by Simonetti and Riley allowed Ritson to carefully carry the ball down towards the goal end.
Meg Bolton came on for a run-in centre and partnered with Pethybridge their amazing ball placement allowed Sundara Manners and Bratton to execute their shots. In an even quarter the Magpies maintained their 4 goal lead with the score 34-30 at three-quarter time.
The Bulldogs came out hard in the last quarter and quickly closed the gap in a nail biter of a game.
The Magpies fought hard to remain on top. The defending circle was again led by Riley and Thornley, who maintained their tight one on one defence picking off many passes into the circle.
Ritson got her hands to a few, followed by her amazing leads down the centre court. Phoebe Pethybridge came on in centre and O'Neill returned in wing attack, both carefully placing the ball into Bratton and Manners.
Both teams fought until the last second with the Magpies up by one as the ball headed to the Bulldogs goal circle.
The whistle went and the Magpies deservedly stayed on top with the score 43-42. The Belt up game ball was presented to Mia Pethybridge as best player for the game.
The young 16s Magpies got off to a great start, catching the Bulldogs off-guard as they raced to an early lead 10 - 3.
Jenna Begley worked hard defensively through the centre court, whilst Kalani Bate-Henry was effective at goal defence.
Jordan Sapsford shot strongly and despite some wayward passing by the team the Magpies held a 5 goal lead, 14-9, at the first break.
Sally Conroy and Felicity Watson entered the game in the second quarter and along with Tasmin Falconer were involved in some strong passages of play through the middle-court.
Montana Ternadi was strong in defence but the Magpies attack was a little confused and with more wayward passing up and down the court, it looked like the Bulldogs would close the margin, however, the half time break saw the Magpies stretch the lead to 24-17.
Dakota Nelmes entered the Magpies defence along with Elle Mullumby in the WD position.
The Magpies settled, with several hard drives into attack and a scoreline of 34-25 at the end of the third quarter.
The final term saw Emma Jackson re-enter the Magpies attack and with effective shooting from both goalies and hard-running mid and defensive units the final score pushed out to 44-29 in favour of the young Magpies.
Teams play at the Geographe Leisure Centre on Sunday, May 26 against South Bunbury with Masters and 18s at 1030am and League at 12pm. Get courtside to see all the action.
