ONA Div 1 - Round 1

The netball season springs to life

A mild day set the perfect stage for the opening round of the 2026 Winter netball season, with courts buzzing from the first whistle. The morning scene was of spectators—parents, kids and even furry four-legged ones—lining the sidelines, bringing a sense of anticipation that had clearly been building.

Strong Start for LIFE

The Premier Division 1 competition got underway inside the stadium at 12:25pm, with LIFE Studio facing Kinross 1sts. What loomed as a straightforward contest took an unexpected turn when U17 representative teammates Isla Wass and Abby Savaro, playing on opposing sides, collided heavily in the first quarter. Both left the court and, in an unusual twist, later found themselves not on opposing benches but seated side-by-side—at Orange Emergency. Netball is hardly a game for the feint hearted.

Play continued, with LIFE asserting control early and powering to a convincing 56–21 win. Their aerial strength and polished connections proved too much for the young Kinross outfit.

Despite the scoreboard, Kinross showed resilience and composure beyond their years. Their defensive unit faced relentless pressure but still managed several impressive intercepts and spoils. Laura Chudleigh stood out with a strong performance, while Georgie Simpson impressed in the mid-court.

For LIFE, the win reinforced their standing as an early benchmark in the competition. Boasting height, strength and depth across the court—highlighted by the presence of Millie and Addie Hollingworth—and with captain Lucy Wilson directing play with authority at Goal Attack, they look every bit a team to watch this season and shape as a formidable contender.

Vipers Strike Early in Grand Final Rematch

Anticipation was high for the 1:25pm clash between Vipers and City—a rematch of the 2025 grand final—but it took an early hit with both sides starting undermanned, fielding just seven players apiece.

City bore the brunt of the disruption, forced into unfamiliar positional changes. Defender Caitie Harvey stepped into the shooting circle, while centre Tegan Dray shifted to Goal Defence. Vipers by contrast, largely held their usual structure, allowing them to settle into their trademark high-energy, free-flowing game.

With Georgia Davis delivering sharp, composed feeds into Ellie Mooney under the post, Vipers quickly found rhythm. Combined with Suz Simpson’s relentless defensive pressure, they surged to an eight-goal lead by the first break.

Although City welcomed reinforcements and reconfigured to their more customary position, the early gap proved decisive. Vipers held firm to secure a 47–36 win.

For spectators it is a result that offers only a partial glimpse of what these two sides can produce at full strength—setting the stage for a far more telling chapter when they meet again later in the season.

Hornets Outpace Hawks in a Fast and Physical Encounter

The final game of the round saw OHS Hornets claim a 45–32 win over Hawks Royal Hotel in a clash of two young, developing sides.

It was a high-tempo, physical contest from the outset, with Hornets setting the tone through strong defensive pressure and a clear hunger for the ball. Meakah Chippendale and Tess Hill led the way in the defensive circle, disrupting Hawks’ flow and creating valuable turnover opportunities—chances the Hornets converted with greater efficiency.

A key move came partway through the opening quarter, with Issie Kiely injected into Goal Attack. The change steadied the Hornets’ attacking end, improving composure through the court. They took control early, leading 12–4 at the first break.

To their credit, Hawks lifted in the second term, applying stronger mid-court pressure and beginning to build connections in what was their first hit-out as a new combination. They narrowed the margin for the quarter, but Hornets maintained their advantage, leading 24–12 at halftime.

From there, Hornets extended their lead to 35–19 at the final break. But the finish belonged to the determined Hawks, inspired by the defensive workload of Macy Maunder and her mid-court connection with Clancy Simmons. Hawks’ surge to outscore Hornets 13–10 in the final quarter was an encouraging sign as their combinations began to click. If this first encounter is any indication, this could become a fascinating rivalry to watch over the course of the season.

Pam Ryan

Photos: Tash Rudd