MILAWA has established itself as a clear frontrunner after round six of Ovens and King netball, courtesy of a devastating performance against Whorouly.
The Lions were sitting atop the ladder after winning their first five games, but they were handed a massive wake up call by the Demons, who ran them ragged all over the court.
From the opening whistle Milawa was on top, and there was no let up in the first three quarters as the Demons strangled the life out of the Lions.
The first quarter was a complete whitewash, with Milawa up 17-4 at the break, and things didn't get any better for Whorouly in the second, trailing 33-7 at halftime.
Milawa's defensive pressure was intense, and the Lions managed just two goals in the third term to find themselves down 49-9.
Prior to this week Whorouly's lowest three quarter time score was 28, against King Valley.
The Demons made some changes to the line up in the final term, allowing the Lions to break the shackles and more than double their score, but there was no hiding from the end result a 62-19 thrashing.
Milawa coach Jackie Gardner couldn't hide her pleasure with the performance.
"I'm quite chuffed," Gardner said.
"The girls just played stunningly well.
"Everything came together for us, and it was just our day.
"I thought the umpiring at both ends was great as well, and that always helps."
Gardner paid credit to goaler-turned-defender Kyra Hunt.
"Kyra was best on court she was just superb," she said.
"She was a shooter last year, but she has been playing goal defence this year and I think she's found her spot.
"I asked all the girls to really work at the defensive aspects of their game, so it was very satisfying to have that happen.
"I looked up at halftime and couldn't believe we had held them to seven goals."
Gardner was also rapt with the offensive end, with Emily Canny and Jami Hunt combining well, while Kate Finnigan continues to provide the drive the side lacked when she fell pregnant late last season.
"Our shooters were really on song they didn't miss anything," Gardner said.
"Jami and Emily have had that year of playing together, and they have improved so much.
"And Kate is so good the leadership and stability she brings is incredible.
"She is such an attacking player, but her defensive work was amazing as well she just blows me away."
While a 43-goal win over the now second-placed side would suggest Milawa is a long way ahead of the pack, Gardner said only time would tell whether that was true.
"Until we play all the teams you just don't know," she said.
"Right now it's just about getting consistency into the way we play.
"It's been a terrific start to the year, but there are always things to work on.
"But as long as we don't have any injuries and no one gets pregnant we should go alright."
In other matches -
- Moyhu put in a strong final quarter to beat Benalla 40-31,
- Bonnie Doon came from six goals down at the final break to edge out Bright by one goal in a 33-32 thriller,
- Tarrawingee was too strong for Swanpool, winning 69-52,
- North Wangaratta held off a fast finishing Tatong to win 36-35,
- King Valley thumped Glenrowan by 75 goals, and
- Greta had a comfortable 54-36 victory over Goorambat.
By - SCOTT ANDERSON.
IN CONTROL: Kate Finnigan (Milawa) is defended by Ashley Dent of Whorouly.
Last Modified on 16/05/2012 20:43