ROUND four of the Netball Victoria Eastern Regional State League saw the heat policy come into play, on a scorching 35 degree day at Latrobe Leisure Churchill.
The 17 and under games were forced to reduce quarters from the usual 15 minutes to 12 per quarter.
Despite the shortened format, goal attack Livinia Ronchi put up big numbers to help Sale to a five-goal win over Pakenham.
Gippsland provided the upset of the round by trouncing East Gippsland 34-18.
Winning every quarter against the second-placed East, Taylah Ferguson played her best game of the season at goal defender, earning three votes from the umpires.
Mid Gippsland rebounded from recent losses, winning its first game of the season comfortably 33-28 over North Gippsland, which has now lost two out of four games.
Mid Gippsland had the game firmly in hand at quarter-time leading by four goals, and stoic defender Emily McInnes was named best on court.
In the open division, Kate Sidebottom scored three votes from the umpires for her game at centre in a match which saw Morwell Red trail Alberton 7-5 at quarter-time.
Morwell fell another six goals behind in the second quarter and 14 more in the last as it collapsed to its second loss of the year.
Gippsland showcased its potent mix of youth and experience in a crushing 82-22 win over North Gippsland.
Gippsland goalers Ramayer Gourley and Courtney Blair barely missed in the 60-goal win, while North wasted many opportunities in defence.
Round five will showcase an exciting combination of games as the 2014 premier Alberton tackles undefeated Gippsland and the Morwell Indoor teams come face-to-face.
RESULTS
Open division
Alberton d Morwell Indoor Red 41-27
Gippsland League d North Gippsland FNL 82-22
17 and under
Gippsland League d East Gippsland FNL 34-18
Sale d Pakenham 32-27
Mid Gippsland d North Gippsland 33-28
