The match between Southern Magpies and Markham's College A was a physical battle in which Southern prevailed 57-41.
Southern led early. A couple of mini runs helped it go 7-2 up in the first six minutes, aided by some great rebounding from newly signed Steel recruit Taneisha Fifitia.
But it was not all smooth sailing and it was forced into some tough attacking plays and sent several balls out the back of the court.
College also passed the ball into empty space under the defensive pressure.
Southern went into the first break with a seven-goal lead, 15-8.
College then brought Grace Namana on at goal shoot for Billie Scurr.
The change proved a good one, with Namana picking up an intercept on the transverse line within the first three minutes to keep the score going goal for goal early in the second period.
Both teams' defensive ends applied immense pressure to repeatedly turn the ball over.
College centre Dani Gray kept adding to her intercept total for the season with a couple of stunning turnovers to bring the score deficit back by halftime.
In the third quarter, both sides made a change at wing defence with Southern introducing Lauren Pickett to the game for Bridie Burns, and College switching Gray and Julia Law.
That meant Gray was marking up against Zoey Flockton which ensured a physical battle between the pair for the remainder of the game.
Bringing Pickett into the game was beneficial for Southern as she picked up four tips in her first quarter on court.
Tarryn Dickson, Southern's goal defence, also made her presence known with some nice intercepts of her own.
The College defence end also came alive with Gray, Law, Katie Begbie and Clora Quinlan-Thompson combining to pick up tips and intercepts of their own.
That enabled College to claw back into the game by another two.
Southern went into the final break up by four at 37-33.
Southern put the foot down with all three defensive players picking up early intercepts.
It took Southern out to a 12-goal lead with 10 minutes to play.
The energy that Southern came out with for the fourth quarter was too much for College to cope with, and the scoreline blew out to 15.
The momentum stayed with Southern for the remainder of the game as the entire team lifted their performance to take the win by a convincing 16 goals.
In the other games, South Pacific Titans A took the win after a close game against Physed B 57-53.
Physed Blue got its first win of round two over fellow club team Physed C, 54-38.
The St Hilda's Collegiate Senior A-Physed A match was rescheduled to before August 3.
- Bridget Thayer
