Netball girls take home gold medal

DANIEL GARB

THE Australian junior netball has won the gold medal at the Maccabiah Games after annihilating Great Britain 50-18 in the final.

Going into the tournament as hot favourites, they never let the pressure get to them, smashing Great Britain, Israel and South Africa. Coach Suzie Mordech says she had to constantly challenge the girls to keep them motivated.

“After winning the first round of games easily, we changed up the girls positions every quarter from then on to keep them on their toes,” she said.

“The shooters became defenders and the defenders did the shooting and it worked.”

Despite the one-sided scoreline, Mordech insists the girls didn’t have it all their own way.

“I’m delighted and very relieved because Great Britain really came out to play. The score line flatters us, but the girls worked very hard to win this one.”

With a passionate crowd behind them, the underdogs from Great Britain did test the Aussie girls early, but once goalshooter Shayna Slotar started to find the ball regularly the result was inevitable.

The tall West Australian was simply brilliant inside the circle using her long reach to nail shot after shot and with the assistance of goal attack Ashleigh Werner, who was just as accurate, Australia went into half-time up 23-8.

The girls kept the foot on the accelerator in the second half, stretching the lead out in the third quarter.

Australia toyed with their opponents in the last with Simon Kipen and Kim Mordech trusted with the shooting duties while Slotar was given a well deserved rest.

Slotar won the best and fairest award for the entire competition, while Sydney girl Shayna Levitt was awarded the most valued player trophy.

The gold medal winning team was: Rebekah Ehrlich, Zoe Fayman, Manthy Gentin, Simone Kepin, Cayci Levitt, Shayna Levitt, Kim Mordech, Shayna Slotar, Ashleigh Werner. Coach: Suzie Mordech, Manager: Rachelle Gentin.