TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v SWAN HILL
INJURIES to key players Jayda Plant and Amy Standen left a bitter pill to swallow for Tooleybuc-Manangatang, who fell just one goal short of upsetting Swan Hill on Saturday afternoon.
The game ending injuries to Plant (ankle) and Standen (calf) occurred in the second quarter, with the scores all tied up at the main break at 25-all.
The Saints then jumped out to a three-goal lead by the last change, but were ultimately unable to hang on as the Swans, led by Ava Seymour (23 goals) and Casey Frame (eight goals) in goals, overran Tooleybuc-Manangatang in the final quarter to win 46-45.
It was a character building win for the Swans according to their coach Casey Frame, with Swan Hill climbing back into the top five as a result.
“Of course we’re very happy with the win, they (Tooleybuc-Manangatang) made us earn each ball and made us work hard,” Frame said.
“The momentum swung at different times and we couldn’t manage to pull away, but we dug deep in the second half which was pleasing.
“It was a solid effort from Ava Seymour, she shot and moved well, but our defenders and defence was good and they provided our attackers with several opportunities.
“Tooleybuc-Manangatang are a very tall team across the court and we struggled at times to find space, which is a credit to them, but I was really pleased with how our team fought hard, finished strong and got the win.”
While Seymour was among the better players for Swan Hill, Taylah Morris and Olivia Fowler were key contributors for the Saints, along with Emily Siely who returned for her first game back in the A Grade.
FINAL WHISTLE
| Tooleybuc-Manangatang | 45 |
| Swan Hill | 46 |
KERANG v WOORINEN
KERANG continue to keep pace with the Mallee Eagles at the top of the Central Murray ladder, with the Blues securing a hard-fought three-goal win over Woorinen on the weekend.
In a match that could well prove to be an early preview of this year’s finals series, the Blues took control of the match in the third quarter, extending their three-goal half time lead to seven at the final change.
The Tigers refused to throw in the towel however, outscoring the home side 13 goals to nine in the final quarter to give the home side some nervous moments, with the Blues eventually holding on to win 44-41.
Kerang co-coach Chloe Adams was impressed with her team’s ability to fight out the match.
“It was a really tight game with lots of momentum swings, so we were happy to come away with the win,” Adams said.
“It definitely wasn’t the prettiest of wins but four points is four points and we know how important games like that are come the end of the season.
“We had some really great passages of play but probably didn’t string together that four quarter performance like we wanted to.
“Credit to Woorinen, they were hungry and didn’t allow us to push the score out.”
Denise Roberts and Katelyn Wright were the better players for the Blues, with Willow Conlan stepping up in the absence of Tayla Bennett scoring 27 of the Tigers’ goals at goal attack.
FINAL WHISTLE
| Kerang | 44 |
| Woorinen | 41 |
NNW UNITED v BALRANALD
CLOSE encounters seemed to be the order of the day on Saturday, with Balranald recording a two-goal win over a determined but unlucky Nyah-Nyah West United.
The Demons led at every change except the last one, with the Roos outscoring the Demons 12 goals to eight in the final quarter to overrun the home side 58-56.
After trailing by two goals at three-quarter time, Balranald jumped out of the blocks with the opening three goals of the final term to gain the ascendency.
The Demons refused to go quietly however, retaking the lead before the Roos again responded with three more unanswered goals leading into the final minutes.
Balranald would take the lead on five separate occasions before the final minute, when Bec Harvey (42 goals) and Macy Lloyd (16 goals) both scored to seal the match in the dying seconds.
Harvey was among her teams better players, as was NNW United goal shooter Taylen Blachford, who shot 41 of the Demons’ 56 goals and posed a challenge to defenders Indianna Kirby, Bonnie Jolliffe and Gemma Saul.
It was Balranald’s second win of the season and puts them just two points outside of the top five ahead of next weekend’s all-important clash with the Mallee Eagles, while NNW United will still be searching for their first win when they clash with Tyntynder.
FINAL WHISTLE
| NNW United | 56 |
| Balranald | 58 |
KOONDROOK-BARHAM v LAKE BOGA
KOONDROOK-Barham have climbed to fourth on the Central Murray ladder after securing a 15-goal win over reigning premiers Lake Boga in a low scoring affair.
The Raiders jumped out to an early lead, with the visitors holding a six point advantage at quarter time, extending their lead at every break on their way to a 38-23 win.
It proved to be a happy homecoming for Koondrook-Barham co-coach and former premiership Magpie, Emma Peacock, who was pleased with her team’s full court defensive play.
“It was a good day of netball and to be honest, both teams played well,” Peacock said.
“(Lake) Boga have a lot of great juniors coming up into their A Grade which is great to see, but we just capitalised on more of the ball than they did.
“Our defence across the whole court was very impressive and was a massive reason for our win.
“We still have a few things to work on but our team is playing well together.”
The best players for the Raiders were Erin Moerenhout and Ayla McGowan, while goal keeper Felicity Robertson was best on court for the Magpies.
FINAL WHISTLE
| Lake Boga | 23 |
| Koondrook-Barham | 38 |
