GIPPSLAND STORM under-17s took out the club’s first premiership for 2007, with a hard fought nine-goal victory against Mountain Districts at the Waverley Netball Centre on Monday night.

Starting as slight favourites, the Storm jumped out of the blocks to break Mountain Districts first two centre passes and take an early 5-0 lead.

Lucy Fallon and Brogan Badrock stamped their authority on the game early, repelling Mountain Districts’ first few attacking drives and allowing Amy Hodge and Toni Dart to convert.

Gippsland consolidated its early work and took a commanding 10-3 lead into the first break.

Mountain Districts lifted the intensity in the second quarter and reduced the deficit to four midway through the quarter, but Storm’s ability to create turnovers out of nothing allowed it to take a comfortable 21-14 goal lead at half-time.

The introduction of fresh legs in the third quarter seemed to disrupt the Storm’s momentum and Mountain Districts again reduced the margin to a few goals.

However, as if repeating the trend of the previous two quarters, Storm lifted its work rate and defensive pressure and only lost the third quarter by one goal, taking a 28-22 goal lead into the final quarter.

Having rested in the third quarter, Amy Hodge returned to her more familiar role at goal attack and was again the focal point inside the attacking goal circle.

Her height and agility proved too much for Districts’ defenders and she finished with 29 goals from 35 attempts.

Hodge was well supported by both Toni Dart and Danielle Rodgers, who created space around the attacking circle with their attacking leads, while Danielle Milner played her best game for the season at wing attack, creating numerous opportunities for the goalers with her strong leading and creativity.

Captain Megan Ellett was at her best at the centre position, while Jensey Thompson and Caitlin Ponton both teamed well with her to place enormous pressure on the Districts’ centre court.

Lucy Fallon teamed well against shorter and evasive goalers and was rewarded for her hard work and defensive discipline by being named best on court in front of a supportive crowd.

@BT Sub Sport Gaz:DIVISION-ONE WIN

In the division-one game last Monday, Gippsland Storm consolidated second spot on the State League ladder with a nine-goal victory against third-placed Ballarat Pride.

Going into the game with only seven fit players due to injuries, illnesses and work commitments, Storm was able to jump the Pride and create a slender four-goal lead early in the contest.

Jess Thomas stamped her authority on the game early, providing a target inside the Storm circle and Andrea Dickson’s hard work outside and around the top of the circle, created plenty of space.

While not being able to take a commanding lead at anytime, Storm always seemed in control of the contest and shot out to an 11-goal lead before Ballarat reduced the margin to nine with the final score reading 53-44.

The Storm meets Palladians tonight (Wednesday) at the State Netball Centre before a week’s rest followed by the much-anticipated home game against Mountain Districts at the Cardinia Life Sports Stadium on Saturday, 7 July.