NSW/ACT girls begin Championship bid
By Sarah Browne
NSW/ACT and South Australia have drawn in their first game of the 2014 Youth Girls National Championships.
The home side led for the majority of the match, but a comeback in the third quarter from South Australia led to a 4.7.31 to 5.1.31 draw.
Canberra’s own Eloise O’Brien represented the National’s host State, kicking the first major for NSW/ACT. From a tight angle about 40 metres out, O’Brien slotted it directly through the sticks.
South Australia’s Taylor Gordon had a good presence for South Australia, moving the ball smoothly from the centre of the ground with a strong left foot kick.
SA’s Ebony Marinoff was the turning point in the game, putting her side in front for the first time in the match early in the third quarter.
NSW/ACT took back the lead late in the third, but it was anyone’s game for the taking with only five points separating the sides going into the final term.
It was Taylor Gordon who tied the game for South Australia, with the girl from Morphettville Park kicking a goal with only four minutes remaining in the match.
South Australia will play the Woomeras in their next match, while NSW/ACT will play the Thunder Devils in a twilight game on Day 2.
