TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v COHUNA
Tooleybuc-Manangatang produced one of the upsets of the season, defeating the Cohuna Kangas by seven goals at Manangatang on Saturday.
Cohuna went into the match missing injured stars Carly Geary and Marli Easton, while the Saints line-up was bolstered by the inclusions of midcourter star Zoe Livingston and defender Laura Grant.
The Saints led from start to finish, with the home side opening up a five-goal lead at half-time before making their move after the break, with a 14-9 third quarter putting the game out of reach.
After a tough season and difficult run with injuries, the 53-46 result was a “good reward,” according to Tooleybuc-Manangatang coach Mel Wait.
“They (Cohuna) were very physical, especially through the mid court, but our girls managed that well,” Wait said post-match.
“All of the girls really stepped up and combined well together.
“Zoe (Livingston) and Laura (Grant) were our best players, but Jayda (Plant) ran the centre well, Summer (Blachford) shot well and Ella Foley played her best game too.”
Although it was a memorable day for Saints supporters, it was one to forget for Cohuna coach Georgia Anderson, with her team still a game clear in fifth position on the ladder.
“The stars did not align for us, with Carly (Geary) and Marli (Easton) out plus two other players nursing injuries, we had to utilise our rolling subs a fair bit to get through,” Anderson said.
“The intensity wasn’t there, we also missed 20 goals and just could not close the gap as their goalers were very accurate.
“Well done to Tooleybuc-Manangatang, they were the better side, but we will use the bye week to reset and plan on playing our best netball against Swan Hill and Nyah next.”
Taylor Hird and Kobie McIvor were the better players for Cohuna.
Final Whistle
Tooleybuc-Manangatang 53
Cohuna 46
TYNTYNDER v BALRANALD
Balranald have locked away a spot in this year’s finals series with three rounds to play after a hard fought 10-goal win over Tyntynder on the weekend.
The Roos were forced to come from behind after a lacklustre start saw them trail by seven goals at quarter time, before outscoring the Bulldogs 32 goals to 16 in the second and third terms, before holding on to record a comfortable 48-38 win.
It was a win that secures Balranald a spot in the upcoming A grade finals series, with the Roos still locked in a battle with the Mallee Eagles for third spot on the ladder and the all-important double chance.
“Going into the game our main focus was on our defensive pressure throughout the whole court, which I think the girls did really well at applying,” Balranald co-coach Elli-Jane Pollard said.
“We created those opportunities we needed and moved the ball fast through the mid court, which was definitely our strong point.
“We started slow but managed to regain our momentum and pull it back together.”
Bonnie Jolliffe was consistent across the four quarters and was adjudged Balranald’s best player, with Kelsey Rowe leading the scoring with 28 goals for Tyntynder.
Final Whistle
Tyntynder 38
Balranald 48
MALLEE EAGLES v NNW UNITED
The Mallee Eagles will go into this Saturday’s top three battle against Swan Hill full of confidence after their 26-goal win over Nyah-Nyah West United at Lalbert on Saturday.
After a competitive first quarter, the Demons proved no match for the girls in blue and gold, despite the home side losing Kasey Torr and Leah McKenzie in the lead to the match.
With strong depth throughout their A squad, the Eagles were able to cover their losses, with co-coach Alicia Harvey full of praise for her teams four quarter performance.
“Mikayla O’Meara, Milly Saville and Amy Jobling stepped up and each performed their roles perfectly,” Harvey said.
“Mikayla shot 43 percent of our total goals which is a massive effort and she’s growing and shining every week.
“Milly is a dominant player anywhere in defence and her ability to switch into wing defence is a credit to how hard she’s worked this season. Both her and Amy Jobling were key in making that transition from defence into attack as smooth as it was.
“We knew they (NNW United) were going to be tough and hungry, and they were.
“I don’t think the scoreboard reflected the intensity of their game. They worked hard and made all the right changes, I think our defence was just too strong and our goalies too dominant.
Laura Sheahan, O’Meara and Harvey were the better players for the Eagles.
Final Whistle
Mallee Eagles 60
NNW United 34
KOONDROOK-BARHAM v LAKE BOGA
Lake Boga have extended their winning streak to 13 after accounting for Koondrook-Barham by 44 goals on the weekend.
A 19 goal to seven first quarter set the tone for the day, with the Magpies winning every quarter on their way to a 69-25 victory.
Sarah Hepburn was at her dominant best in goals, shooting a game high 48, while Katie Carmichael contributed 21 goals of her own.
The comfortable margin also allowed Lake Boga to get extra game time into talented youngsters Montana Davies and Jayda Fleming, with Anne-Marie Stewart happy with her teams all-round performance.
“We had a really good match and I was very happy with my team,” Stewart said post-match.
“Katie (Carmichael) and Sarah (Hepburn) played a beautiful game in goals while Emma (Peacock) and Jemma (Meehan) shut down the Raiders shooters really well, while our centre court was strong and led well by Lily (Brennan) and Taigan (O’Shannassy).
Final Whistle
Koondrook-Barham 25
Lake Boga 69
