MEOW! Cats claim thumping win in inaugural Premier League match

Walkerville Netball Club claimed a statement victory in their long-awaited THRFG Premier League debut, cruising to a 19-goal win over the newly rebranded Norwood Netball Club on Friday night.

The Cats bared their claws to overcome a slow start and run out 61-42 winners in front of an energetic crowd at Adelaide Arena, who revelled in the club’s inaugural match in the state’s premier netball league.

High profile recruit Jess Paradiso shone in her first game for the club, providing an invaluable link between defence and attack and a steady pair of hands in the circle.

Sam Simons also proved hard to contain up front, with the cross-coder showing her basketball skills with several lay-up goals throughout the contest.

After conceding 17 first-quarter goals, Walkerville’s defence, led by Jess Ward and Rachael King, pounced on turnover opportunities for fun as they only shipped 25 for the rest of the game.

“This is a really special moment for our club,” Head Coach Kate Semiz said.

“To secure our first Premier League win, and to do it after a tough first quarter, says a lot about the group’s belief and composure.

“The way they settled, trusted the system and competed for four quarters is exactly what the Walkerville Way is all about.”

Club President Jess Hall was full of praise for the team on arguably the biggest night in the Cats’ short history.

“To debut in the Premier League this season is something our whole community should be so proud of,” she said.

“This achievement belongs to everyone who helped build our club: our players, umpires, coaches, volunteers, families and supporters over many years.”

In the second match of the double-header, Walkerville’s Reserves side edged past Norwood by two goals to extend their perfect start to the season to three matches.

The core of the team has picked up where they left off in AMND League, where they helped put the Cats on the map with three successive undefeated premiership-winning seasons.

Walkerville’s Premier League side returns to the court on Wednesday night, taking on the South Adelaide Panthers in a battle of the big cats.