Sport
13 May, 2025
Talbot back on the board, defeating Trentham
The Talbot Hawks bounced back from their loss to Carisbrook in style, prevailing over the highly competitive Trentham Saints by 17 goals.
Talbot got off to a blistering start, doubling up Trentham at quarter time 18-9 thanks to some great offensive play from the Hawks midcourt and Tina Wardlaw, Naomi Henderson and Jess White making the Saints struggle to give their shooters service.
Alicia McMurray and Eleisha Phelps had chances to extend that advantage further, but still managed an impressive hall with 11 and seven goals respectively.
Sharna Ford played a pivotal role in keeping the Saints’ deficit to nine, going seven for seven in the first quarter while teammate Kasey Button scored two.
Talbot’s offensive production continued into the second period, allowing the hosts to extend their advantage by six to lead 35-20 at the main break.
While the Trentham defence improved their proficiency of intercepting entry passes, McMurray and Phelps’ shooting eye widened, combing for 17 goals from just 21 shots.
Ford and Button did their best to keep pace for the Saints, netting six and five goals respectively with two misses each.
While Talbot came out of the main break striving for a blowout victory, the Saints had other ideas, keeping pace with the 2024 preliminary finalists in the third term to only lose the quarter 13-11.
Ford continued her electric shooting touch, missing just three shots in the first 45 minutes of play and scoring seven goals in the third. Button added four goals to Ford’s efforts.
Talbot made some changes at half time, with Phelps moving to goal defence and Wardlaw shifting into wing attack allowing Shianne Milera the opportunity to play goal attack.
Milera took her chances well, scoring four goals and deferring to McMurray when needed, as she netted nine in the third.
The final quarter was a showcase of the shooters, as both teams started to see the ring like a hulla hoop, scoring 13 goals each as Talbot sealed the victory.
McMurray was a perfect 10 for one in the final quarter and Milera added three for the Hawks while Ford scored nine to finish with 29 goals from 35 shots and Button netted four