Sport
28 July, 2026
Saints manage to hold off determined Lions in close call game
ST ARNAUD’S U14B team overcame a determined Calder Lions side with a dominant final quarter to claim an impressive victory after a hard-fought contest.
ST ARNAUD’S U14B team overcame a determined Calder Lions side with a dominant final quarter to claim an impressive victory after a hard-fought contest.
The opening quarter was a tight affair, with the Lions applying relentless defensive pressure that made every Saints goal hard-earned.
Despite the intense contest, the Saints managed to edge ahead by just one goal at the first break.
The Lions continued to challenge throughout the second quarter, forcing the Saints to adjust their game plan to maintain their advantage.
The third quarter was another closely contested battle as the Lions refused to back down.
The Saints worked tirelessly to hold onto their lead, although the physical nature of the match began to take its toll.
With the game on the line, the Saints delivered an outstanding final-quarter performance.
Weirs IGA Award: Courtney S, Anne Ezard Award: Ella W, Canteen Award: Indi J
THE 14A’s went head-to-head against Calder in a thrilling match that lived up to all expectations.
Sitting closely behind Calder on the ladder in fourth position, the young Saints viewed this encounter as the perfect opportunity to test their skills and prove they have what it takes to go all the way this season.
From the opening whistle, the Saints set the tone with relentless defensive pressure.
Their suffocating defence made it incredibly difficult for Calder to find easy feeds into the ring.
With some position changes and a display of strong and effective defense, Calder managed to slow down the Saints’ momentum. Refusing to back down, the Saints injected fresh legs and tried new combinations for the third quarter.
The final quarter was not for the faint-hearted. It turned into a highly physical final period, demanding non-stop effort from both sides.
Taylor’s Auto electrical- Dahla P, Weirs IGA- Charlie J, Canteen- Imogen W
THE U17s girls went down to a very strong Lions team.
With the number of changes that need to be made each quarter across the court and on the bench, the girls did a remarkable job of settling into their positions.
There were some lovely passages of play, great turnovers and improvements in our movement and spacing. Defenders worked tirelessly against some very reliable Lions shooters.
Chloe S (Petrie Mechanical), Sienna C (Bendigo Bank), Maeve P (St Arnaud Physiotherapy Centre)
THE Saints delivered a strong all-round performance against Calder in their B Grade netball clash.
The midcourt worked tirelessly to transition the ball into attack, while the defenders applied consistent pressure to disrupt Calder’s play.
Sharp front cuts and effective reset options created plenty of opportunities through the court, with accurate feeds into the shooters a standout throughout the match. In the final quarter, Saints maintained their composure, continuing to deliver quality ball into the ring while the defenders held strong and contested every pass.
CALDER United claimed a hard-fought victory in B Grade over the Saints after building a crucial lead in the second quarter. The opening quarter was a tightly contested affair, with both teams battling for every possession.
In the second quarter, Calder found their rhythm and began to pull away, extending their lead with consistent offensive play to head into halftime in front.
The Saints responded well after the break, matching Calder’s intensity in the third quarter. Strong defensive pressure helped limit Calder’s scoring opportunities, but despite their efforts, the Saints were unable to reduce the deficit.
The final quarter saw the Saints continue to fight hard, but Calder maintained their composure and controlled the game.
Sporting Club- Eliza S, Hendy Tyre- Abby Weir, St Arnaud Physio Centre- Mahlie M
NINE Go girls took the court to show wonderful team work. Mars Bar: Althea D and Ebony M.
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