Sport
21 April, 2026
Lexton might too much for improving Maldon
Lexton officially begins its 2026 campaign with a 2-0 record after overcoming a highly encouraging Maldon performance in a 21-goal victory.
Sharpshooter Rachel Phelan returned on Saturday in an exciting moment for the Tigers faithful as part of what already looks to be a deadly shooting tandem with rising superstar Charlize Kennedy, who scored a game-high 34 goals.
After losing to Lexton by 68 goals last season, the Bombers will take a massive confidence boost from a competitive defeat after keeping pace with the Tigers throughout the second half.
Countering the return of Phelan, Maldon also had a noticeable inclusion for this match, welcoming back 2025 club MVP Sophie Zammit.
After playing much of her Tigers debut at wing defence, Eliza Bell started Saturday’s contest in excellent form at goal keeper alongside fellow recruit Shanae Hepworth.
With Bell and Hepworth locking down their defensive goal circle, Lexton midcourts Caitlin Howell and Darci Berry dictated the first quarter tempo, giving Phelan and Kennedy numerous chances for early goals.
Entering the second quarter trailing 14-5, Maldon defenders Emma Webb and Claire Hamilton managed to slow the scoring pace of the Tigers after quarter time.
However, the defensive trio of Bell, Hepworth and player-coach Cindy Teggerth was a Lexton wall the Bombers’ attack was unable to burst through regularly, held to five goals for the second straight quarter.
With the Tigers boasting a 14-goal lead at the half time interval, the visitors were poised to stroll their way to a comfortable victory at Bill Woodfull Reserve.
However, Maldon were emboldened to begin the second half, producing one of their best quarters in the past year.
After making a host of changes at the half time break, the decision to shift Zammit alongside Laney McNeill and Alannah Furmston in the attacking goal circle proved to be fruitful.
The change helped unlock the Bombers’ attacking potential, with the trio beginning to maximise the feeds from Claire Kelly and Charlotte Harrison.
With Webb moving into Zammit’s vacated wing defence, emerging defender Eva Gross stepped up to pair with Hamilton at goal keeper and did a very respectable job marking Phelan.
Those alterations produced a highly competitive third quarter that concluded with both teams scoring 12 goals apiece, a massive shot in the arm for the rebuilding Bombers.
However, it was the Tigers who had the last laugh, with their offence clicking for 15 goals in the fourth quarter to conclude a 51-30 win.
Phelan wasted no time reasserting her talent in her long-awaited return, scoring 17 goals from 24 attempts to complement Kennedy’s haul of 34.
Despite only playing at shooter during the second half, Zammit finished one goal behind Maldon’s leading scorer of Furmston on 11, ending with 10 goals. McNeill assisted the cause with an extra nine makes.