By
LS Rachel Irving
RAAF
Base Glenbrook figured prominently in the Kapooka 7s netball competition
on March 27.
It was an all-Glenbrook affair in the women’s final and a
Glenbrook team also contested the mixed final.
Competitors from NSW and Victoria took to the courts in stifling
conditions at the annual event.
Kapooka 7’s organiser Corporal 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,” he 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.”
Women’s final
IN the final of the women’s competition mixed-service teams
RAAF Glenbrook 1 registered a 29-17 win against an understrength
RAAF Glenbrook 2.
Glenbrook 2 competed 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 Captain 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 Corporal Katie Staines moving to Centre and Pilot
Officer Gina Lowe to Wing Defence. The shooting by Corporal Ros
O’Brien and Leading Aircraftwoman Maree Barnes really lifted
as the women found their rhythm.
Tight defence from Glenbrook 2’s defenders, Captain Lynne
Oldfield and Private 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 retaining their three-point lead,
14-11.
While the 2’s came out fighting in the third quarter, again
putting the first points on the board, the lack of a full complement
of players began to tell.
Glenbrook 1 dominated, with the combination of CAPT Dewar, Wing
Attack Corporal Taryn Buxton and Wing Defence Able Seaman Sara
Jackett ensuring the ball remained in their control.
Their shooters, Captain Erica Rayward and Corporal Lauren Radcliffe,
were sharp and consistent and piled on the points while missed
scoring opportunities for the 2’s proved costly. The 1’s
led 22-14 at the last change.
Glenbrook 2 continued to move around positions of the players
searching for a winning formula but with only six on the court
it was always going to be a hard ask against a class side.
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.
Mixed final
A TRI-SERVICE team from RAAF Glenbrook defeated HMAS Albatross
29-21 in the decider of 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 Corporal Ryan Gibbs, Able Seaman
Jo Conley, Corporal Nick Dawes and Sergeant Simon Statton proved
a key difference for the Glenbrook side.
The aggressive defence of AB Conley and CPL Dawes however could
not take from some nice shooting from Albatross’s Leading
Seaman Richard Dorrey.
Glenbrook led 14-7 at half-time.
The highlight of the third quarter, dominated by the Glenbrook
team, would have to go to LS Dorrey who took a spectacular Aussie
rules-type mark deep in the circle.
Glenbrook pulled away on the scoreboard to lead 20-13 at three-quarter
time.
In the last quarter, CPL Gibbs stepped up, playing his usual aggressive
game through the centre court and SGT Statton also stood out.
Albatross fought back with consistent shooting and in the end
only lost by eight points.
In testing heat, competitors from across the Services fought for
first place in women’s, men’s and mixed events.
Men’s final
COMPETITION hosts and last year’s winner, Kapooka, retained
their title with a 15-9 victory against HMAS Albatross in the
final.
Men’s netball is a tough, fast-running game with plenty of
ego and this match proved no different. Kapooka came out strongly
from the start with their Centre, Sergeant Steve Gibbs, leading
by example with his gutsy determination and fitness across the
court. With help from Wing Attack Lieutenant Chris Thompson and
Wing Defence Lieutenant Shaun Dwyer, Kapooka managed to restrict
Albatross to just two goals in the first quarter.
Albatross came out firing in the second quarter, determined to
turn things around. Tempers threatened to boil over half way through
the quarter with a tight game delighting the small but enthusiastic
crowd. At half-time Kapooka led 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 deserved to keep the title. Again with SGT Gibbs leading
the way, Kapooka lifted, dominating the last 10 minutes and eventually
finishing six-point winners.
Both teams played well until the end and, to Albatross’ credit,
they never looked like giving up.
