BALRANALD v NNW UNITED
NYAH-Nyah West United have broken through for their first win in the penultimate game of their season after defeating Balranald by 10 goals on the weekend.
The Demons led for much of the afternoon, but held just a slender one-goal lead at three-quarter time, before powering away with an 18-goal to nine last term.
The 57-47 victory was the first for NNW United, with coach Nola O’Shannassy ecstatic with her team’s effort to ensure they tasted success in a frantic final quarter.
“The girls worked really hard and had confidence and the belief in themselves and each other,” O’Shannassy said.
“The combinations just worked and all their hard work at training and during the year finally paid off.”
With the Roos missing goal keeper Jess Parry and their finals chances extinguished last weekend, their final fade out frustrated coach Elli-Jane Pollard, especially after a tightly fought first three terms.
“The girls were playing some great netball and after a very close third quarter we were feeling confident going into the last,” Pollard said.
“Unfortunately a few errors saw them (NNW United) break away very quickly.
“Macy Lloyd was our best player for the day and her movement in the ring was outstanding.”
KOONDROOK-BARHAM v LAKE BOGA
A 15-goal to four second quarter has helped Koondrook-Barham climb into second position on the Central Murray A grade ladder, with the Raiders defeating a disappointing Lake Boga by 32 goals on the weekend.
The Magpies proved no match for Koondrook-Barham after quarter time as the home side piled on 44 goals after the first break, while also conceding just 16.
Sophie Peacock returned to the Raiders’ starting line-up and made a significant impact, along with dynamic centre Remy Doyle, with the pair receiving praise from co-coach Emma Peacock post-match.
“We played a very solid four quarters and we had our full defensive team back this week, with Sophie playing an exceptional game after coming back from injury,” Peacock said.
“We attacked every ball and really got around each other, it’s very exciting to see what finals will bring us.”
While Koondrook-Barham are destined to play in September, the same can’t be said of Lake Boga, who despite taking massive strides forward in recent weeks with wins over Swan Hill, Kerang and NNW United, took a step backwards on Saturday.
“It wasn’t a good game from us, we struggled to move the ball forward and get it in a scoring position, which was evident in our final shots scored,” Lake Boga coach Lisa Ryan said.
“We again had a lot of unforced errors which doesn’t help.
“They (Koondrook-Barham) are up and about with quick ball movement and lots of defensive pressure and they will be a tough opposition going into the finals.”
