KOONDROOK-BARHAM v BALRANALD
A STRONG four quarter performance against an understrength Balranald on the weekend has confirmed Koondrook-Barham’s standing as a genuine finals threat this season.
There was no let up from the Raiders, who jumped out of the blocks in the first term to hold a nine-goal lead at quarter time.
It didn’t get much better for the Roos, with the home side outscoring them 13-7 after the first break, with Koondrook-Barham taking a commanding 15-goal lead into half time.
Balranald would score just 11 more goals for the match in the second half, including just four in the third quarter, with the Raiders eventually running out comfortable 30-goal winners – 54-24.
Erin Moerenhout led the way with a game high 31 goals for the Raiders, with goal attack Sophie Disher (23 goals) and goal defender Larney Allen the best for the home side.
It was the Raiders’ second 30-plus goal win of the season after they defeated NNW United by 32 goals in round 2, with Koondrook-Barham co-coach Emma Peacock pleased with her team’s performance.
“It was a good game and we played a consistent four quarters,” Peacock said.
“We attacked every ball, got behind each other and we capitalised much more of the ball than last week and we definitely put the pressure on Balranald from the first whistle.”
Although the Roos were missing key players Bec Harvey and Taylin Barry, it was still a disappointing performance from a team whose finals hopes are quickly slipping from their grasp and will need to regroup ahead of this Saturday’s game against Swan Hill at Greenham Park.
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v NNW UNITED
TOOLEYBUC-Manangatang’s mid-season resurgence continues to gather strength, with the Saints claiming their third consecutive win with a dominant 28-goal win over rivals Nyah-Nyah West United at Manangatang on the weekend.
The 65-37 result was Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s highest score this season, with the Saints now sitting sixth on the Central Murray A Grade ladder and just one win behind fifth placed Swan Hill.
Zoe Morris (38 goals) was again strong in the Saints’ goal circle, with Summer Blachford (27 goals) also impacting on the scoreboard for the home side.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang coach Mel Wait was full of praise for her team’s effort throughout the four quarters after the match.
“It was a really good win; we played consistent netball all day,” Wait said.
“We are working hard on converting our turnovers and our defenders gave us plenty of ball and we were better at rewarding them.
“There were some good match ups across the court and Zoe (Morris) is providing great guidance in attack and our defenders are combining well also, while Jayda (Plant) is every reliable in the centre.”
The only dampener on the day for the Saints was an injury to Amy Standen, who is likely to spend several weeks on the side lines as a result.
Emily Hickey was among the Demons’ better players on the day according to NNW United coach Nola O’Shannassy, who praised her young defensive combination of Hickey and Miley Shadbolt given the size of their task in quelling Morris and Blachford.
“It was another hard day at the office for us, our defence played exceptionally well though considering their task,” O’Shannassy said.
“It was like all the other games; we didn’t really play badly, we just failed to convert from our opportunities.”
LAKE BOGA v MALLEE EAGLES
THE Mallee Eagles have set up a much anticipated clash with Kerang this Saturday following an 18-goal win over a determined Lake Boga on the weekend.
Both the Eagles and Blues will go into the must-win match undefeated, with the winner to take control of the A Grade competition and head into the final seven rounds as premiership favourites.
The match was set up with an emphatic opening 15 minutes from the Eagles, with the ladder leaders outscoring the Magpies 17-goals to four in the first term.
To Lake Boga’s credit, the reigning premiers fought back after the break to compete with the Eagles over the remaining three quarters, with Mallee only able to extend their lead to 18 by the full-time whistle – 51-33.
It was a performance that earned praise from Lake Boga coach Lisa Ryan, despite her team’s slow start.
“Honestly, I’m absolutely wrapped with how we played against the unbeaten ladder leaders,” Ryan said.
“If you discount the first quarter, we only dropped five goals over the next three quarters and that is seriously impressive.
“In the first quarter we just couldn’t get it forward and we made a couple of changes and moved Steph Anderson to wing attack and Ruby (Ryan) into goal attack for some speed.
“Both changes helped change the momentum and we went on to win the second quarter and only lose the third quarter by a couple of goals.”
