By
LS Rachel Irving
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Goal
Defence SMNEWT Jason Zinner makes life hard for Kapooka
Centre, SGT Steve Gibbs in the Men’s final at Kapooka.
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Competitors
from New South Wales and Victoria took to the courts in stifling
conditions at the annual Kapooka 7s netball late last month.
In testing heat, competitors from across the Services fought for
first place in women’s, men’s and mixed events.
The men’s final saw HMAS Albatross take on the hosts and last
year’s winner, Kapooka.
Men’s netball is a tough, fast-running game with plenty of ego
and this match proved no different.
Kapooka came out strong from the start with their Centre, SGT
Steve Gibbs leading by example with his gutsy determination and
fitness across the court.
With help from Wing Attack LT Chris Thompson and Wing Defence
LT Shaun Dwyer, Kapooka managed to restrict Albatross to just
2 goals in the first quarter.
Albatross came out firing in the second quarter, determined to
turn things around.
Standout performances from Goal Defence SMNEWT Jason Zinner with
his quick reactions and excellent defence and more consistent
shooting from SMNEWT David Ruane, saw the Navy team fight back.
Tempers threatened to boil over half way through the quarter with
a tight game delighting the small but enthusiastic crowd.
The half time score saw Kapooka lead 9-5. Sloppy passing through
the centre court in the third quarter cost Albatross vital scoring
opportunities, saved only by poor shooting from Kapooka.
Last year’s winner’s proved in the last quarter why they should
retain the title. With Steve Gibbs leading the way, Kapooka lifted,
dominating the last ten minutes and eventually romping home six
point clear winners, 15-9. Both teams played well till the end
and to Albatross’ credit they never looked like throwing in the
towel.
The women took to the court next for their final with mixed-service
teams RAAF Glenbrook 1 taking on RAAF Glenbrook 2.
Glenbrook 2 took to the court with only six players and were to
be congratulated for making it to the final after playing all
day with only six.
Although they were the first to post points on the board, it was
going to be hard for them through the center court and not having
a Wing Attack really cost them some opportunites.
Centre for Glenbrook 1, CAPT Amanda Dewar, made the 2’s pay for
the loss of a player, with her superb fitness and athleticism
punishing them and setting up scoring opportunities for her own
shooters.
In a game displaying good attacking and excellent defence from
both teams, it was the loss through centre court and some sloppy
first quarter shooting from the 2’s that saw Glenbrook 1 lead
8 -5 at the first change.
Glenbrook 2 came out fighting in the second after some position
changes, with CPL Katie Staines moving to Centre and Gina Lowe
to Wing Defence.
Their shooting by CPL Ros O’Brien and LACW Maree Barnes really
lifted as the women found their rhythm. Tight defence from Glenbrook
2’s defenders CAPT Lynne Oldfield and PTE Janette Seabrook helped
to restrict the flow of the opposition’s game, while teamwork
helped keep them in the game.
The half time score reflected the intensity of the battle, with
the 1’s retaing their three point lead, 14-11. While the 2’s came
out fighting in the third, again putting the first points on the
board, it was going to be the loss of a person that would see
them struggle in the quarter.
Glenbrook 1 dominated, with the combination of Dewar, Wing Attack
CPL Taryn Buxton and Wing Defence ABWTR Sara Jackett ensuring
the ball remained in their control.
Their shooters, CAPT Erica Rayward and CPL Lauren Radcliffe were
sharp and consistent and piled on the points while missed scoring
opportunities for the 2’s proved costly.
To their credit, the 2’s never gave up, their red faces telling
the story.
The 1’s were first rate and deserved winners though with even
numbers on the court it may have been a different story.
The full time score read 29-17 in favour of the 1’s. The last
game of the day saw HMAS Albatross take on a tri-service team
from RAAF Glenbrook in the mixed competition.
Mixed netball is always a good mix of traditional netball skills
and solid play from the women coupled with the fast game of the
men and makes for entertaining viewing.
The first quarter was tight with both teams showing a few nerves.
Defence from each side was good, restricting the first quarter
scores to 6-2 in favour of Glenbrook.
The experience of players such as CPL Ryan Gibbs, ABDEN Jo Conley
and CPL Nick Dawes and SGT Simon Statton proved a key difference
for the Glenbrook side.
The aggressive defence of Conley and Dawes however could not take
from some nice shooting from Albatross’s LSATV Richard Dorrey.
The half time score read 14-7 to Glenbrook.
The highlight of the third quarter, dominated by the Glenbrook
team, would have to go to Richard Dorrey who took a pass which
could only be described as a spectacular Aussie Rules mark deep
in the circle.
Glenbrook pulled away on the scoreboard to lead 20-13 at three
quarter time.
In the last quarter, Ryan Gibbs stepped up, playing his usual
aggressive game through the centre court and Simon Statton also
stood out. Albatross fought back with consistent shooting and
in the end only lost by eight points, the full time score Glenbrook
29-Albatross 21.
Best and Fairest Player (Mixed) for the carnival went to LT Sara
Reynolds from ALTC1, for the women’s competition the honour went
to CAPT Erica Rayward from Glenbrook 1 and from the men’s competition
the title went to CPL Craig Brown from Kapooka 1.
Kapooka 7’s organizer CPL Brad Landouw said he was pleased with
the success of the carnival.
“We had teams travel from across the regions and they have played
in the true tri-service spirit of the game,” CPL Landouw said.
“Overall it was a very good competition in all three divisions,
the men’s, the women’s and the mixed.
“There was some very good talent and in fact several people have
been scouted for selection to play ADF netball.
This is a very good reflection of the carnival as this is only
the second year it has been held.”
Thanks go to Defcredit, the major sponsor of the Kapooka 7’s who
increased their sponsorship of the event making it a bigger and
better carnival.
Netball
Calendar 2004
