General News
5 July, 2022
Cobden looks for solid run to finals
COBDEN Open netball coach Sophie Hinkley is hoping her side can enjoy a solid run to the finals series.
COBDEN Open netball coach Sophie Hinkley is hoping her side can enjoy a solid run to the finals series.
Currently sitting in second position on the Hampden ladder, the Bombers are only percentage ahead of third placed Koroit and fourth placed Warrnambool – and just two points clear of North Warrnambool in fifth.
“The top five are certainly close and it will be an exciting run to the finals,” Hinkley said.
“We are two games behind South Warrnambool and will need to consolidate for the remaining rounds to stay in the top three.”
Cobden will face 8th placed Camperdown this weekend and while Hinkley is confident, she said the Magpies can never be underestimated.
“We always have a good battle with Camperdown and we never go in too confident,” Hinkley said.
“After that we face Port Fairy and then Koroit.”
The Bombers last played Koroit back in round five and lost 37-40.
Hinkley is hoping to overturn the result in round 14 at home.
“When we played Koroit earlier, we had three of our starting seven out – two with Covid and one with injury. I’m hoping we can meet them this time with a full side.”
Reflecting on previous seasons, the Bombers’ open side was defeated in the grand finals of 2018 and 2019 – both by Koroit.
“I wasn’t at Cobden in 2019 but they went through the home and away season undefeated and were beaten in the grand final."
“After two years of Covid interruptions the girls are really hungry for a flag. This year it’s a nice change for them not to be the hunted sitting on top."
“It’s allowing us to concentrate on the process of what we need to do. Fingers crossed we can get through unscathed and be there on the big day.”
