Round 9 of the 2018 Korfball South Australia State League regular season is done and dusted as we draw ever closer to finals time. All the scores, schedules, ladders and goal scorers from all the games played so far can be found on the State League page.

A Grade

There were no A Grade State League matches played this week, as the A Grade teams were again all participating in the inaugural Challenge Cup. All the details from the third and final round of this competition will be published shortly. A Grade matches rejoin the State League schedule from next week.

B Grade

With both B Grade games on at the same time again, we look to the North v Flinders game, played on the showcourt, first. The match started very evenly, with the teams going goal for goal for the entirety of the first half, with neither team leading by more than one at any point in time. Flinders took a one goal lead into the halftime break. In the second half, it was Flinders who scored first, for the largest margin of the game so far, and from there they set upon building a lead. With more patience in attack than the first half, both teams found better opportunities, but it was Flinders capitalising more, stretching the lead to 4 goals. A late injury to Flinders reduced them to 7 players, and opened the door for North, who closed the gap to 2, but that was as close as they got. Final score was 19-17 to Flinders. Darian Huddleston scored 7 for the defeated North. Flinders produced a very even scoring effort, with every player taking the court scoring; Jaz Zulfic was the top scorer, with 5.

 

Glenelg took on ladder leaders Boomers, who had a point to prove after dropping their first match of the season the week before. Boomers were strong out of the blocks, and never really looked back. With possibly the most experienced B Grade team around at the moment, and complimented by a sharp-shooting youngster, Boomers are a tough proposition to face. Glenelg were not without their own experienced players, and while they did their part to keep the game competitive for a time, ultimately they were no match for Boomers. Final score was 19-9, in favour of Boomers. Mark Hamilton was the top scorer for Boomers, and the match, with 7, while Tim Miller chimed in with 5 for Glenelg.

 

As expected, Boomers’ win ensures they remain on top of the table, and are already getting close to being a mathematical certainty to play finals. The table tightens up below them, with Arista remaining in second spot, despite the bye. Flinders move into third thanks to goal difference, knocking off North on the court and the table. Glenelg remain in fifth, just 4 points outside of the last finals spot. Onto the scoring charts, Jack Curran remains on top on 36, and is now joined at the top by teammate Mark Hamilton, on 29. With Tim Miller also moving into fourth, the Flinders domination at the top is loosening.

C Grade

C Grade kicked off with the earlier game between Arista and Glenelg Cubs. The match started off close, with both teams struggling to score, largely due to solid defensive efforts from both teams. The first half finished 4-2 in favour of the Cubs, showing just how much of a low-scoring slugfest the match was. Little changed early in the second half, with both teams struggling to score, however, Arista were able to eke out a narrow margin. Shortly after this though, Arista lifted a few gears, and began supplying their shooters with better shot opportunities, which led to Arista’s lead growing. While the final result was 13-6 in Arista’s favour, the margin is closer than the last time these two teams played, which is another in a long line of encouraging signs for this young Cubs team. Nick Miller was the top scorer for the Cubs, with 2 goals, while James Holland knocked in 7 for Arista and match honours.

 

The late game saw Flinders taking on Glenelg Tigers. Flinders started strong, and essentially carried on that way for the rest of the match. In particular, Flinders was able to use an advantage in their girls to great effect, to the point where 13 of Flinders’ 14 goals were scored by their female players. Flinders’ ability to find the hot hand and keep attacking through their strengths proved the difference, as they ultimately ran away 14-6 winners. Bree was the top scorer for Flinders and the match with 7, while Daniel Maas chipped in 2 for the Tigers.

 

This leaves Flinders still out in front, and still yet to drop a game. Boomers and Arista sit in second and third respectively, both on 13 points, with Boomers edging ahead on goal difference. Glenelg Tigers sit in fourth, just one point back from second, and the Cubs remain in fifth. The race for finals is really starting to tighten up as the season starts to head towards the end. Onto the scoring charts, and Stefan Scragg maintains his hold on top spot, but James Holland has now joined the battle, and leapfrogged Joanna Lloyd into second spot.

 

Next week is at The Hub Recreation Centre, in Aberfoyle Park, due to Titanium Security Arena being unavailable. This is only the second, and final, time we have had to move away from our primary venue this season, a marked improvement on past years. We look forward to seeing you at the Hub on July 8 as we kick off Round 10 of the Korfball South Australia State League, where the A Grade competition will kick off again. In the meantime, all the details can be found on the State League page, and make sure you stay tuned for the upcoming Challenge Cup report.

 

**EDIT: A previous version of this story had Arista as the half-time leaders vs the Cubs in their C Grade game.**