Warwick shines to meet challenge
WARWICK had 10 wins, one draw and one loss in finishing runners-up in 12 years division three at the Challenge Carnival in Townsville which finished on Monday.
Coach Leah Murphy said the side showed great courage after losing star goalkeeper Sophie Shadlow with a broken arm on Saturday.
“Marley Cooper normally plays goal defence but moved to goal keeper and Sally Higgins moved from wing defence to goal keeper,” Leah said.
The attacking combination of centre Lily Stewart, wing attack Julia Murphy and goal attack Larissa Millard combined brilliantly at the carnival which gave many opportunities to Jessica Henry and Grace Hardy who shared the goal-shooting role and also filled in elsewhere on court.
Leah said Imogen Bilbrough was a versatile player who proved valuable in attack and defence throughout the carnival.
“Our only loss was to eventual winners, Brisbane team Downey Park,” Leah said.
“Ten supporters flew to Townsville just to support our team,” Leah said.
In the 14 years age group, Warwick recorded two wins and seven losses in division two.
Coach Lisa Fitzgerald said the best performance was a four-point victory against Redlands.
“We improved on last year's effort against Redlands,” Fitzgerald said.
“Warwick scored a five-point win against Whitsunday on Saturday.”
The 14 years team included defence players Eilish Roche, Sarah Fenton, Monique Howard, Amber Christensen, centre Sarah Kane and attacking players Mikki Brown, Kiarna Roche, Ashleigh Brown and Lauren Eastwell.
Fitzgerald said her team improved all weekend.
“They combined well as a team and I expect a major improvement in inter-district netball in the next round in Toowoomba on May 15,” she said.
The Warwick performance was hampered by the loss of regular centre Sarah Kane and goal keeper Sarah Fenton who both sprained their ankles on Sunday afternoon and took no further part in the carnival.
Fitzgerald will now coach the Warwick 16 years team in the state age championships at Logan on the Queen's Birthday long weekend.
Warwick will field four teams at Logan.
