Match Report : Saints open season campaign with comprehensive victory over Bayswater

By Elly Kirlis.

South Belgrave Saints claimed their first win of the 2025 Ringwood Mazda netball Division 13 season, defeating Bayswater Green by 29 goals in a superb performance at HE Parker.

A 10-3 opening term set the tone for the Saints, who outscored Bayswater in each remaining quarter on their way to producing an impressive 41-12 triumph.

It was a dominant opening half from South Belgrave shooter Ashlea Foster that played a role in her side’s strong win on Friday night. She finished with 20 goals for the match, 15 of them coming in the first two quarters.

Ellie McMahon was impressive in her own right at goal attack and scored 18 goals, while teammates Jenna Bliss and Jemma Mason had some great moments for the winning side through the midcourt with their attacking flow and providing energy. Brianna Wilcox was brilliant in the defence end in Goal Keeper and Goal Defence. 

South Belgrave’s ability to apply great amounts of pressure to their opposition, was the catalyst in their strong start to the match.

Led by Brianna Wilcox and Jenna Bliss, they didn’t allow Bayswater any easy transitions down the court, while in the attacking third, the Cougars also controlled things as a unit, with an seven-goal first term from Ashlea Foster seeing her side lead by seven at the first break.

The intensity didn’t fall away in the second term as the defensive unit of South Belgrave, ensuring Bayswater only registered two goals for the term.

Despite the third quarter deficit, Bayswater came out of the blocks strongly in the second half. 

Bayswater lifted their work rate and were starting to gain more possession as a result; however, South Belgrave would end the third term in impressive fashion to extend their advantage to 20 goals approaching the final quarter.

The Saints made sure of the victory with another terrific term in the last, scoring 12 goals to three. It capped off a brilliant four quarter performance which resulted in them winning their first match of the season.