The immediate playing future of Barossa District senior one coach Melinda Rendell is unclear.

Rendell has a torn cartilege in her left knee and is undecided whether to have an operation.

“At the moment I’m just resting up and seeing if the injury settles down a bit,” Mel said.

“The knee is very sore but I am going to give it a week before making a decision on what to do.

“I’m a bit scared that if I go in for a clean up, there could be worse damage than that which has already been diagnosed.”

Rendell said it was her understanding that if the cartilege is repaired she could be out for most of the rest of the season.

Barossa District, the defending premier, is currently sitting in sixth spot on the premiership table but is still in the race for a top four finish.

“We haven’t looked ahead to the finals. At present it is more about developing some exciting young players.

“Last Saturday, Tegan Lang, who is only 13, made her senior one debut and this year we have also given regular game time to Laura Slade.”

Nuriootpa 40

Tanunda 31

Nuriootpa found bottom-placed Tanunda a feisty rival and had to overcome a quarter-time deficit before winding up nine-goal winners.

Coach Heather Voigt said she was a “bit cross” at the end of the game despite the win.

“There were a few inconsistencies which didn’t please me and generally we always have tough tussles with Tanunda,” Heather said. “I had hoped for a good win to pick up some percentage but as it turned out other results on Saturday helped in the race to the finals.

“We also had the misfortune to lose Abby Asplin (calf strain) just before half time and had to replace her with Lana Kaesler who had already had a full game in the twos. Sally Lloyd also had a knock to a hip which didn’t help.”

Goal defender Jodie Kurtz, wing attack Kylie Falkenberg and goal shooter Bec Galler were Nuri’s best.

Tanunda coach Liz Smith said she was very pleased her team’s effort.

“I felt all the girls contributed and as a group were consistent over the four quarters,” Liz said. “Naturally we were disappointed to lose but we can see improvement on things we have been working on at training.

“For the third game in a row we led at quarter-time, the girls worked hard throughout and we did not make as many errors as we have in other games.”

Centre Jess Smith, goal attack Megan Hoklas and wing defence Rosie Robinson were Tanunda’s best.

South Gawler 49

Angaston 36

South Gawler produced their best form of the season to dent the final four hopes of last year’s grand finalist Angaston who were strengthened by the return of coach Anna Cameron as a player.

South coach Di Malbut said the win was “possibly the best” during her time with the Lions.

“They played with heaps more discipline,” Di said. “There were less errors and every player beat their opponent. We still haven’t given up hope of making the finals and if we keep that workrate it is possible.”

Tracey Sheridan at wing defence was outstanding while Paula Dean (goal attack), Carmen Gaskell (centre) and Cassie Egel (goal defence) played superbly.

Angaston coach Anna Cameron said it had been a disappointing day.

“The first quarter saw an intense start by both sides in a close contest,” Anna said. “And the second quarter followed as per the first quarter.

“Greater intensity and pressure by South gained turnovers which were consolidated and were further enhanced in the final term.”

Carly Clarke worked tirelessly at centre to be Angaston’s best and Jane Ryan fought hard at goal keeper against strong opposition.

Gawler Central 43

Willaston 42

After leading by as much as nine goals during the third quarter, Gawler Central eventually held on to win by one goal over Willaston to determine who would be top of the table going into the second half of the season.

Both teams went into Saturday’s clash unbeaten and Central came out strongly to grab an early four goal lead and eventually went into quarter time five goals up.

The Tigers maintained control to be seven up by half-time and six at three-quarter time. But Willaston were not ready to give up their unbeaten status easily.

Backed by a raucous support group, the Donnybrooks slowly chipped away at the lead, so much so, they had a chance to draw in the final seconds with a centre pass.

Gawler Central coach Graham Fischer admitted he hadn’t seen the final 15 minutes coming.

“With excellent defensive pressure I thought we were controlling the game to three-quarter time but the group was very disappointed by our final term,” Graham said.

Central’s best were goal attack Allison Grigg who was back to her best form, goal keeper Stephanie Noack and centre Michelle Kelcey.

Willaston coach Sue Brown said it had been a good game and what her team had expected.

“Our slow start didn’t help as we were always playing catch up,” Sue said. “But, after playing all teams once, we are pleased to be in second position and know what we have to work on to improve.”

Willaston’s best were goal attack Emma Richards and wing defence Alix Stanton.

Freeling 49

Barossa District 34

Freeling’s improved form continued with an impressive 15-goal win over an injury depleted reigning premier Barossa District.

Freeling coach Deb Meaney said her side had a great start taking control early to lead by 10 goals at quarter time.

“We knew Barossa hadn’t had good starts lately so it was important to come out firing,” Deb said. “The girls played very controlled possession netball throughout. It was something we have been working on at training.”

Goalies Kirsten Muster and Kelly Gerschwitz shot their best percentage this season.

Freeling’s best were Kelly Gerschwitz at goal attack and Kristy Humble at wing attack.

Barossa coach Mel Rendell, herself out with injury, said there were four other players who also could not be selected because of injury or work. Apart from Mel, also missing were Carolyn Westley, Bronwyn Venning, Casey Allchurch and Chelsea Jaensch.

“The seven who took the court included a 13-year-old Teagan Lang, and a group who had not played together so it was not surprising we had a slow start,” Mel said. “But after quarter-time we only went down by a further five goals so I was pretty happy with our effort overall.”

Barossa’s best were Dee Mason in centre and Teagan Lang at goal attack.

Barossa, Light and Gawler Netball Association results from Round 9, June 21.

Senior One: South Gawler 49 d Angaston 36; Nuriootpa 40 d Tanunda 31; Freeling 49 d Barossa 34; Gawler Central 43 d Willaston 42.

Senior Two: South Gawler 37 d Angaston 35; Nuriootpa 66 d Tanunda 39; Freeling 64 d Barossa 26; Gawler Central 48 d Willaston 46.

Senior Three: South Gawler 58 d Angaston 23; Nuriootpa 38 d Tanunda 36; Freeling 50 d Barossa 41; Willaston 42 d Gawler Central 37.

Senior Four: South Gawler 58 d Angaston 26; Nuriootpa 56 d Tanunda 22; Freeling 52 d Barossa 34; Willaston 56 d Gawler Central 48.

Senior Five: South Gawler 46 d Angaston 40; Nuriootpa 45 d Tanunda 31; Freeling 40 d Barossa 14; Willaston 51 d Gawler Central 25.

Senior Six: Angaston 53 d South Gawler 50; Tanunda 46 d Nuriootpa 18; Willaston 65 d Gawler Central 29.

Intermediate: South Gawler 55 d Angaston 19; Tanunda 65 d Nuriootpa 20; Barossa 65 d Freeling 24; Gawler Central 43 d Willaston 32.

Junior One: South Gawler 43 d Angaston 21; Nuriootpa 32 d Tanunda 31; Freeling 35 d Barossa 23; Gawler Central 60 d Willaston 15.

Junior Two: South Gawler 41 d Angaston 21; Nuriootpa 27 d Tanunda 22; Freeling 40 d Barossa 18; Gawler Central 40 d Willaston 19.

Sub Junior One: South Gawler 41 d Angaston 8; Nuriootpa 19 d Tanunda 18; Freeling 30 d Barossa 18; Gawler Central 28 d Willaston 19.

Sub Junior Two: South Gawler 41 d Angaston 2; Tanunda 16 d Nuriootpa 11; Freeling 13 d Barossa 10; Gawler Central 12 d Willaston 10.

Sub Junior Three: South Gawler 25 d Angaston 1; Nuriootpa 16 d Tanunda 5; Freeling 20 d Barossa 15.