THE New Norfolk Senior Women were back home on the big Boyer Oval last Saturday for the first match of the day, against Sorell. New Norfolk had scored a good 49-point victory in the first encounter with Sorell this season and were looking to repeat the dose to maintain their position in the top three on the ladder. SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY
Play began at 10am in cool and overcast conditions with a slight dew underfoot which made the ball slippery. New Norfolk kicked to the change room end and New Norfolk scored their one and only goal for the quarter when Ellie Henricks steered one through at the 9-minute mark. They followed up with five behinds, wasting opportunities. Sorell was finding it hard to get the ball into their forward 50 but managed to score their first goal at the 11-minute mark. The New Norfolk defence was holding up well with Maddi Krause, Zoie Crawford, Sophie Farrow, Amber Rainbird and Ash Harwood all prominent. An inaccurate New Norfolk held a 5-point lead at the first change: New Norfolk 1.5 (11) to Sorell 1.0 (6).
The second quarter started in a similar pattern to the first, with Ellie Henricks scoring at the 3-minute mark. Play was congested as Sorell was intent on trying to make it difficult for New Norfolk to get its flow on game going. In a physical encounter, all players were in the New Norfolk forward line for most of the quarter. A great snap from the pocket by Tiarna Ford at the 16-minute mark brought up the home side’s third major. Sophie McNeill was playing well for New Norfolk as they went into the main break with a 17-point lead: New Norfolk 3.7 (25) to Sorell 1.2 (8).
The third quarter was again very physical as Sorell was trying to upset New Norfolk and bring them back to their level. This continued for the first six minutes before a Tiarna Ford goal at the 8-minute mark broke the deadlock. This was swiftly followed by goals to Ellie Henricks and Madi Shaw as the home side began to show their superior skills as they jumped out to a strong 35-point lead at three quarter time. The New Norfolk backline was well on top, holding Sorell scoreless for the quarter. Jorja Franklin, Sharny Grimsey, Amber Rainbird, Siobahn Smith and Ashley Harwood were prominent in this quarter. Three-quarter time scores were New Norfolk 6.7 (43) to Sorell 1.3 (8).
The final quarter was again a very tight physical contest. The New Norfolk defence was again well on top, holding Sorell scoreless as Tiarna Ford stepped up the pressure with goals at the 15 minute and 17-minute marks to push their lead out to 47 points. It was a very tough and physical encounter with Sorell trying to put consistent physical pressure on New Norfolk. This tactic didn’t work as the more skilful New Norfolk played a strong four-quarter game to maintain third position on the SFLW Community League ladder.
The Lady Eagles are at home again this week against Lindisfarne while the men’s teams travel to the TCA again to tackle the Hobart Tigers.
CHRIS LOVELL
Final Scores
New Norfolk 8.7 (55)
Sorell 1.2 (8)
Best – New Norfolk: Hayley Rainbird, Tiarna Ford, Chloe Ford, Maddi Krause, Sophie Farrow, Ellie Henricks; Sorell: M. Tapp, B. Nordstrom, A. Rawson, T. Clark, S. Birch, E. Hutt.
Goals – New Norfolk: Tiana Ford 4, Ellie Henricks 2, Madison Shaw 2; Sorell: E. Hutt.
NEXT GAMES, SATURDAY, MAY 23
Women v Lindisfarne at Boyer Oval at 9.30am
Reserves v Hobart at the TCA Ground at noon
Seniors v Hobart at the TCA Ground at 2pm.
New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News is a sponsor of the New Norfolk District Football Club.
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