Kate Withers
NETBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
Traralgon Tyers United will fight to hang onto their spot in the top five of North Gippsland league A grade competition when they face ladder leaders Rosedale on the road.
The Bombers edged out Gormandale by six goals in round 15 while the Blues were put to the test by a resilient Heyfield side before emerging victorious, 44-39.
Bombers coach Jennifer Duncan said her side was “really looking forward to round 16 against Rosedale at our home ground” and would be eyeing redemption for the loss to the Blues earlier in the season.
“Another tough match this week and we will be looking to make amends for our loss earlier in the season and taking home the points,” Duncan said.
“Last time we met we played a very inconsistent game and Rosedale capitalised on [that].
“However, we have been playing some very good netball during the second half of the season and this needs to continue on this week and beyond to cement our position on the ladder leading into the finals series.”
The Blues are yet to drop a game this season and have top spot well and truly in the bag with a draw the only mark against their name.
They are a mammoth 14 points clear of Churchill on the ladder and have racked up 744 goals for the season – 119 more than the Cougars.
TTU are hanging onto fifth spot on percentage ahead of Heyfield and could be bumped out of the five this weekend if Heyfield get up over Churchill.
Sale City v Yarram
A move inside the top five could be on the cards for Yarram this weekend if they can get over Sale City in round 16.
The Demons are in seventh place but are matched on seven wins with Heyfield – one behind TTU and this weekend’s opponents Sale City.
Sale City were held off by Cowwarr in round 15 and went down by two goals while Yarram made light work of Glengarry and claimed the win, 50-34.
Glengarry v Gormandale
A bottom of the table clash between Glengarry and Gormandale won’t have ramifications for the makeup of this year’s finals series but can restore some energy in both camps for the remainder of the season.
The Tigers – in last spot on the ladder – have won just one game this season while Glengarry in ninth have won two.
Glengarry made the tough journey to Yarram in the first half of the split round 15 and were outclassed to the tune of 16 goals while Gormandale hosted TTU and went down by six goals.
Heyfield v Churchill
A win this weekend will shore up a top-three finish and double chance for Churchill but they will first have to overcome Heyfield on the road.
Heyfield faced the toughest task in the North Gippsland league A grade netball competition and travelled to take on Rosedale in round 15 where they made a good fist of it but were outrun by five goals at the final whistle.
Churchill were far too good for Woodside on their home court and came away with an easy win, 48-36.
Woodside v Cowwarr
The Saints can sew up their finals spot this weekend with a win over Woodside.
Cowwarr enjoyed a clutch win in round 15 and fended off Sale City to win by two goals.
Woodside visited Churchill in the first half of the split round and were no match for the Cougars, going down 48-36.
