Lions resting up again after first win of season

LEOPOLD is striving to find rhythm amid its stop-start beginning to the GFNL A grade netball season.

The Lions have the bye this weekend and have yet to play on consecutive weekends.

They joined everyone for Round 1 on April 12, had the Easter break and then defeated Colac last weekend.

Coach Kaela Hughes said her side would play an intraclub practice match in preparation for their round 4 battle with reigning premier Newtown and Chilwell at Elderslie Reserve on May 10.

While it’s been a tricky start, Hughes was happy with how the group responded after falling 63-16 to the highly-fancied St Joseph’s in its season-opener.

She described it as “redemption round” as the Lions beat the Tigers 68-53 at home.

Hughes said the team held it together in attack and its accuracy significantly improved.

“I did come down a bit hard after round 1, we shot 16 goals for the whole game, whereas in Round 2 we put up 22 goals in the first quarter,” she said.

“It’s just driving those high standards, the goalers are getting to training earlier and putting shots up before we start and shooting throughout training before we finish drills.”

Goal shooter Nat Heagney hit 46 of her 50 attempts and featured in the best while Charlotte Murray, who played goal attack most of the game, netted 17 from 20.

Captain and centre Darcy Wilson was named the Lions’ best due to her calming influence and communication.

In Round 3 tomorrow (Saturday, May 3), Geelong West Giants host the unbeaten Newtown and Chilwell, Grovedale battle St Albans, Lara meet St Mary’s, St Joseph’s clash with Bell Park and Colac duel South Barwon.