AFL: Bulldogs bite back
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Warners Bay staged a stunning fourth-quarter comeback to beat Cardiff 5.2 (32) to 4.4 (28) in Black Diamond AFL after trailing by 14 points at the final break.
Bulldogs coach Tracy Baker gave her side a dressing down at three-quarter time and the hosts responded, keeping the Hawks scoreless in a thrilling final quarter at Feighan Oval.
Rachel Evans proved pivotal for Warners Bay, scoring two goals to help steal victory from their local rivals.
Defending champions Nelson Bay continued their 13-month winning streak, beating the previously unbeaten Gosford by 37 points, winning 8.5 (53) to 2.4 (16).
Last year’s beaten grand finals Newcastle City Blues ran rampant against Muswellbrook, winning by 196 points in a 28.28 (196) to 0.0 (0) scoreline.
Meaghan MacDonald and Ashlee Hayllar scored four majors each and Clarissa McPhee and Sarah Halvorsen chipped in with three apiece.
WPL: Halvorsen continues scoring
Sarah Halvorsen changed codes on Sunday to score a brace as Merewether overpowered Thornton 5-0 at Thornton Park in Herald Women’s Premier League.
United remain unbeaten on top of the table and can move three points clear of second-placed Warners Bay if they continue their winning ways in a rescheduled match against Adamstown at Myamblah Oval on Wednesday night.
Leticia Quinlan, Rhali Dobson and Bek Stuart were the other scorers for Merewether.
Adamstown coach Ben Herron said his team will have to lift their performance after he suggested Rosebud players “should be embarrassed” by their efforts in a two-all draw with Wallsend at The Gardens.
Herron said if it was not for the heroics of Rosebud shot-stopped Bec Miller, they may not have got away with a point.
“If we turn up against the competition leaders on Wednesday night with the same application then it could end up a football score,” Herron said.
Warners Bay player-coach Cassidy Davis said they “were lucky to get away with” a 3-2 win over Mid North Coast in the other match.
Basketball: Suzy has impact
Suzy Batkovic proved pivotal as she helped steer the Waratah Basketball League championship defenders to a 83-75 win over Bankstown Bruins at Newcastle Basketball Stadium on Saturday night.
The match was the five-time WNBL MVP’s first appearance in Hunters colours since she was a junior player.
Newcastle trailed by 21 points in the third quarter but staged a fightback.
Batkovic provided 32 points and 16 rebounds. Seventeen-year-old Cassidy McLean contributed 17 points.
UZY Batkovic had to settle for a win and a loss in her Newcastle Hunters weekend home-coming.
The Hunters could not repeat the effort on Sunday, going down 67-63 to unbeaten leaders Hornsby.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve played here so it was awesome, and I was really happy to be able to play in front of my family and friends,” Batkovic, a triple Olympian said after the game on Sunday.
“Obviously it was a good game yesterday, coming back from 21 down to get the win.
“We were a bit flat today and a little bit fatigued after last night. We had a good lead but they were able to get to the foul line and got back into the game.
“Playing two games less than 24 hours apart after six weeks off, my body’s pretty sore. I’m looking forward to a couple of days off now, but I can’t wait to get back out there again next weekend.”
Hockey: Oxfords, Tigers victorious
Tigers proved too good for last year’s premiers Central in Newcastle Central Coast Premier League, winning 2-0 at the International Hockey Centre on Saturday.
Tehri Reed and Sharon Williams provided the goals for Tigers, who played some impressive and fast-flowing hockey. Hayley Trickett returned to the centre midfield, a position she has not played for six years and collected player of the match honours.
Gosford downed Souths 2-1 in a hard-fought battle and Oxfords downed Regals, who were without some key players, 3-0 and took man of the match for Tigers.
On the Central Coast, Avoca thrashed Erina 12-1.
Leaguetag: History is made
In the opening round of the inaugural Newcastle Rugby League leaguetag competition played over the weekend, South Newcastle, Wests Newcastle and Lakes United all made early statements.
South defeated Maitland 54-0, the Rosellas downed Cessnock 56-0, Lakes beat Macquarie 44-0 and in the other match Central Newcastle won 26-6 over Kurri Kurri.
Send your women’s sport news to r.valentine@fairfaxmedia.com.au.