Sport
10 April, 2024
Bombers depth on show
COBDEN showed its depth and versatility on the netball court last weekend for round one of the 2024 Hampden League competition.
The Bombers, who have lost five of its 2023 open side players through pregnancy, illness and club transfer, showed they will once again be a force to contend with, bringing home a 33-goal victory over Hamilton last Saturday.
Open netball coach Sophie Hinkley, who is expecting baby number three during grand final week, said the Bombers will now reap the rewards of giving young girls exposure to Open division netball in recent years.
“We’re fortunate to be in a position where we have some strong and versatile players in our division one and under 17 sides who can easily transition into our open team,” Hinkley said.
“Along with myself, Remeny McCann and Sarah Moroney are both pregnant and Jess McGlade had a baby just a few weeks ago.
“Amy Hammond has gone back to Colac this season and unfortunately Grace Taylor was injured during a basketball game last Saturday night.
“But we do plan for these things and our netball program includes giving our younger girls exposure to senior netball both as training partners and allowing them some court time wherever possible.”
That plan is now paying off for the Bombers, who are in the “fortunate position” of being able to utilise the ability and experience of both the division one (2023 premiers) and under 17 sides.
Such was the case in last Saturday’s round one clash with the Kangaroos, where juniors Matilda Darcy and Nikki Clover were both given court time in their first open game.
“Matilda had a great game in both wing defence and goal defence while Nikki was strong when she came on as goal keeper,” Hinkley said.
“Nikki usually plays in goals in the 17s but she played in division one on Saturday and was best on court at keeper. We found out the Kangaroos’ division one shooter was also playing in that position in Open so it gave us the chance to also list Nikki in open.”
The introduction of rolling substitutions in Hampden League this year is already proving handy, with the Cobden coach able to offer her latest recruits some court time.
“Being able to roll players on and off really is a bonus; it was seamless on Saturday and really adds to our game,” Hinkley said.
“I was absolutely thrilled with our results across the board and we hope to continue that momentum when we face Koroit this weekend and then Warrnambool the following round.
“Grace’s injury in basketball has cut us back to seven again for Saturday but we will once again rely on our depth and will make it work.”
This season will see Emily Finch and Molly Hutt lead the Bombers’ open side as captain and vice-captain respectively.
Results from last weekend were as follows:
Open: Cobden defeated Hamilton 62-29. Best: Lara Taylor, Emily Finch and Jessica Walsh.
Division one: Cobden defeated Hamilton 38-35. Best: Nikki Clover, Leah Dickson and Kate Smith.
Division two: Cobden lost to Hamilton 31-35. Best: Abbie Hanks, Tonya Spokes and Eisha Howard.
Division three: Cobden lost to Hamilton 26-31. Best: Elizabeth Wood and Grace Dawson.
17 and under: Cobden defeated Hamilton 46-20. Best: Emily Hickey, Matilda Darcy and Lila Bennett.
17 and under reserves: Cobden lost to Hamilton 20-35. Best: Chloe Cameron, Millicent Saunders and Mia McVilly.
15 and under: Cobden lost to Hamilton 9-50. Best: Lila Bennett, Isabella Wain and Sarah Bridges.
15 and under reserves: Cobden lost to Hamilton 21-28. Best: Marley Howard and Sarah Bridges.
13 and under: Cobden lost to Hamilton 13-28. Best: Stephanie Fleming, Grace Hester and Daisy Bennett.
13 and under reserves: Cobden defeated Hamilton 14-13. Best: Lily Baxter, Charlotte Dean and Stephanie Fleming.
