Pinjarra and Centrals opened the Peel Football and Netball League’s netball season with thrilling wins when they took down Baldivis and Mandurah respectively on Friday night.
Teams in all three grades took to the courts at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre for round one to kick off the weekend, with the Tigers and Centrals escaping with victories in some close shaves.
Pinjarra’s one-point win over Baldivis highlighted the thrilling clashes to open the season, as their league side toppled the Brumbies 45-44.
Last year’s league MVP, Kara Wogan-Browne, picked up right where she left off with her 20 goals leading the scoring for the victors.
Meanwhile, Centrals manage to fend off Mandurah to pick up a win, 41-36.
It’s a strong start to the season for a side looking to make finals after missing out in last year’s campaign, and Centrals will look to keep things rolling next week when they take on league heavyweights Waroona in round two.
But they will need to bring their best if they are to topple the Demons, who took care of business against Halls Head with a massive win in round one.
The reigning premiers showed they are still the top dogs with an emphatic 70-45 victory, buoying them to an early lead on the competition as they sit in top spot.
Rounding out the league games was South Mandurah’s comfortable victory over Rockingham.
New coach Naomi Pannell celebrated her first game at the helm with a 57-40 victory, with Gemma Thomas’ 23 goals leading them in the scoring column.
Reserves
Much like their league team, Pinjarra narrowly edged out a win over Baldivis in the second grade, toppling the Brumbies 46-42.
Chloe Storer scored 16 goals in the win for the Tigers.
Keeping in the theme of close games, Centrals’ reserves picked up a seven-point victory over Mandurah.
The Mustangs gave a spirited effort but ultimately fell short, 39-32.
Rockingham’s twos started their year on a high with a 52-43 effort lifting them over South Mandurah, while Waroona took out the only comprehensive win of the reserves, beating Halls Head 66-27.
Open
Jess Rafferty-Reeves led the way as Halls Head walloped Waroona in the open grade, piling up 33 goals as her side notched a massive win.
Halls Head was in control of the game for the majority, outscoring the Demons 60-19.
Meanwhile, Pinjarra made it three from three to start the year as their side took down Baldivis 57-26, with Storer nailing 41 goals to go with her 16 in the reserves.
Mandurah took out their only win on the night with a 41-36 victory over Centrals, an exact reverse of their league score, while Jax Daw scored 18 goals to lead South Mandurah over Rockingham 44-37.