Rookies’ defence of the Eastern Goldfields Netball Association’s first-division premiership was emphatically launched on Friday night in a 39-goal rout of Mana.
After a first-round bye, Rookies picked up where they left off in 2023 as the competition’s dominant team and showed no signs of rust in a 67-28 result.
Rookies won their last seven games of last season, ending a wait of more than 20 years for a flag.
Also at the weekend, Sonix — who are this year chasing a third flag in four years — lowered their colours against Steelers, 37-28.
After two rounds, Rookies, Sonix, Imperials and Steelers have a win apiece, with Mana yet to open their account.
Round three on Friday starts at 6pm when Sonix play Imperials, followed by Steelers v Rookies at 7.30pm.
The 2024 qualifying series is being decided across 15 rounds, with the finals beginning on August 23.
Results:
Division 1:
Rookies d Mana 67-28; Steelers d Sonix 37-28.
Division 2:
Sonix 2 d Mana 2 41-30; Imperials 2 d Sonix 3 63-45; Steelers 2 d Rookies 2 51-34.
Division 3:
Steelers 4 d Goldstrikers 47-28; Rookies 3 d Flyers 1 45-39; Sonix 4 and Mana drew 35-35.
Division 4:
Steelers 3 d Mana 4 20-0; Sapphires 1 d Imperials 3 37-33; Rookies S5 and Sonix 5 drew 23-23.
Ladders:
Division 1:
Rookies 2 points; Sonix 2 points; Imperials 2; Steelers 2; Mana 0.
Division 2:
Imperials 2 4 points; Sonix 2 4 points; Steelers 2 2; Sonix 3 2; Mana 2 0; Rookies 0.
Division 3:
Sonix 4 3 points; Mana 3 3 points; Steelers 4 2; Flyers 1 2; Rookies 3 2; Rookies 0; Goldstrikers -2.
Division 4:
Sapphires 1 4 points; Sonix 5 3; Steelers 3 2; Imperials 3 2; Rookies S5 1; Mana 4 0.