Brown down in opening round

REIGNING Premier Brown Hill has tasted defeat in the opening round of Ballarat Netball’s premier competition, The Athlete’s Foot Cup.

Wendouree was the team that inflicted the damage, on the back of a superb shooting performance from Casey Johnstone.

Johnstone is playing her first season at this level, but looked right at home, especially in combination with Wendouree captain Eleisha Phelps.

At the other end of the court, veteran defender Catherine Chibnall showed her class to get on top of the Brown Hill attack.

Wendouree put together a seven-goal lead by half time, and extended it to twelve by the final whistle.

In the other game of the opening round, Dela Oscar’s came from behind to overwhelm Eureka in the final quarter.

Eureka led for most of the night thanks to Lauren Jew and Maddi Selmon. It held the lead by 3 goals going into the final quarter.

But Dela Oscar’s lifted with the mid-court brilliance of Cass Peace a telling factor in the final fifteen minutes.

Shooter Lydia Jordan again showed her poise under pressure to get her team home by five goals.

The Athlete’s Foot Cup is the Ballarat Netball Association’s Premier competition.  It is played indoors on Tuesday nights for eight weeks and involves some of the best netballers the Ballarat region has produced.

THE ATHLETE’S FOOT CUP – ROUND 1

Wendouree 51 d Brown Hill 39

Best – Wendouree – Casey Johnstone, Catherine Chibnall

Dela Oscar’s 54 d Eureka 49

Best – Dela Oscar’s – Cass Peace, Lydia Jordan