Sport
7 July, 2026
Swans prevail past Tigers
Lexton proved a stubborn challenger, but Natte Bealiba possessed enough firepower to escape the Tigers’ cage with their undefeated record intact, defeating their old rivals 55-43.
Both teams produced a high-quality game of netball at Lexton Reserve, yet several supreme scoring sprees from the Swans proved decisive.
As they prepared their attempt to slay the Natte juggernaut following their enthralling one-goal victory over Trentham, Lexton welcomed in Heather Smith for her first appearance of the season to deputise for reliable midcourter Darci Berry.
With Ella Tranter, Ebony Raven and Chloe Ross running the show in the midcourt while Naomi Medlyn and Ellie Martin forced numerous early turnovers, the Swans threatened to build a substantial lead early in the first quarter.
However, hounded by the constant surveillance of Lexton protectors Shanae Hepworth and Eliza Bell, Natte sharpshooters Chelsea Ross and Sian Mortlock got off to an uncharacteristically inaccurate start.
That allowed the Tigers to stay within touching distance of the Swans as they found their footing, trailing 11-8 after a low-scoring opening term.
In a contest pitting two of the competition’s most talented attacking tandems, it was only a matter of time before Chelsea Ross and Mortlock engaged Lexton’s Rachel Phelan and Charlize Kennedy in a shooter’s duel, starting after quarter time.
With midcourters Smith and Caitlin Howell having more success passing the brick wall of Medlyn and Martin, Phelan and Kennedy were lethal throughout the second quarter, combining for 16 goals.
Despite their outstanding offensive performance, the Tigers found themselves down by five goals at half time after Chelsea Ross and Mortlock emphatically returned to their dominant best with 18 second quarter goals.
With the contest firmly in the balance, both teams elected to make tactical adjustments during the half time break.
In response to Natte switching the roles of their shooters, Lexton responded promptly to ensure Bell stayed on Chelsea Ross and Hepworth marked Mortlock.
After they also did the same with Medlyn and Martin in the defensive third, the Swans continued to rotate their midcourt, forcing the Tigers to adjust accordingly as they attempted to claw back their deficit.
With both teams emphasising on-ball security and full-court defence, the third quarter was reminiscent of the opening term with scoring chances hard to come by.
The contest’s noticeably slowed tempo favoured the Swans, who extended their lead to seven goals at three-quarter time.
As Lexton attempted to mount a heart-pumping fourth-quarter comeback for the second week running, Natte’s began to reap the rewards of their abundant midcourt depth.
With Tranter, Raven, Chloe Ross and Darci Rodgers all enjoying breathers on the bench during the first three quarters, Natte’s fresher legs began to overrun the Tigers in the midcourt.
That allowed Chelsea Ross and Mortlock to ice the game with 15 fourth-quarter goals to finish on 28 and 27 goals respectively.
Kennedy and Phelan were equally proficient for the hosts in defeat, with the younger Kennedy ending with 22 goals while veteran Phelan converted 21 of her 26 attempts at goal.