SOUTH Gawler moved into third on the Barossa, Light & Gawler senior one netball ladder after it conquered Nuriootpa by 14 goals on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions started in terrific form, and shot out to a six-goal lead at the first interval.

The Tigers, who have been the competition’s most improved side this season, fought back in the second quarter, but not enough as the deficit blew out to eight goals at half-time.

South then showed its experience and dominance, and held the Tigers to just six goals for the third quarter while scoring 15 of its own to secure a 17-goal lead at the final change.

In a positive for Nuri, it won the final quarter 13 goals to 10.

South Gawler playing-coach Bec Brading said her side had prepared well for the Tigers’ fight.

“It was really good, we’d heard from other games that they were going to come out firing,” she said.

“They’ve been the improvers of the competition.

“We wanted to start well and control the game from quarter one.

“In the second half we just let off the gas a little, which allowed them to come back into the game, but we were able to bring it back late.”

The Lions held Nuri to 39 goals, its lowest tally since round five, and Brading was delighted with her defensive end.

“Kayla (Vial) has had a great season so far,” she said.

“Kayla was one of our best players for the day, Stacey Nelson was good in the midcourt and both Kelsey (Wilksch) and Aimee (Feltham) shot really well.”

Looking ahead, Nuri would expect to get another win fresh off of the bye against bottom-side Tanunda, while South Gawler faces Willaston.

“They (Willaston) will come out quite tough, I remember last year they were quite a physical side,” Brading said.

“I don’t think they’re the tallest in the defensive end, so hopefully our height plays an advantage there.”

Around the grounds

Elsewhere, Willaston snapped a three-game losing streak to thump Freeling by 42 goals.

The Donnybrooks had lost to Kapunda, Gawler Central and Barossa District in recent weeks, and had been limited to low scores, but shot 71 goals to the Legs’ 29 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Kapunda ensured it has set up a top-of-the-table unbeaten showdown with Barossa District by beating Angaston by 21 goals.

The Panthers will enjoy the break this weekend before going in as heavy favourites against struggling Freeling.

Finally, Barossa District accounted for Gawler Central by eight goals.

The result moves the Tigers down to fourth on the table, while the Bulldogs are second with a perfect record thus far.