ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
NETBALL
By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
MOE returned to the top of the table after smashing Leongatha in Round 16 of Gippsland League netball.
The league completed the second half of the split round at the weekend.
Moe’s attacking force was unstoppable last Saturday at Ted Summerton Reserve, as Ramayer Gourley with 45 goals, individually outscored the Parrots’ 39.
Leongatha’s Lauren Redpath, Kate Browne and Kayla Redpath were good for their side, while Olivia Barnett, Alexandra Moody and Gourley were outstanding in the win for the Lions.
Bairnsdale didn’t have the luck of their senior footy side, going down to Traralgon 52 to 23.
The Maroons were able to build consistently on their lead after an even first term. The Redlegs were caught with their hands off the wheel in the second quarter, allowing the Maroons to capitalise and take away the 18-goal win in the end. Montanna Styles, Ashlyn Pavey and Bronwyn Tebb were among the best for Traralgon, while Alison Dwyer, Brielle Malady, Danielle Johnson starred for the Redlegs.
Drouin was too good for Maffra.
The Hawks defeated the Eagles 48 to 29.
April Bethune, Lucy McKellar and Kym Diston were recognised as the Hawks best, while Eagles Matilda Pendergast, Chelsea Allman and Grace Ronchi impressed even in the loss.
Warragul, Wonthaggi, Morwell and Sale had the week off due to the split round.
THERE was no major upsets to report in the final round of the North Gippsland Football-Netball League home-and-away season.
Sale City held on from a defiant Rosedale side. The Blues were coming to knock the Bulldogs off their throne, but the fairytale wasn’t meant to be, going down 48 to 42.
It was undoubtedly a hard contest, but the Bulldogs showed their bite and fight to get over the line and finish as this year’s minor premier.
Rosedale, on the other hand, finishing fifth, will play Woodside this Sunday in an elimination final.
Heyfield had an easy win over Cowwarr.
All the Kangaroos had to do was beat the Saints to lock in the second spot of the ladder, and that they did. The final scores were 71 to 26 Heyfield’s way.
Cowwarr had no response to Heyfield’s defensive pressure, which allowed the Roos to turn the ball over again and again, and what was even better for the Roo girls was that they capitalised on most turnovers, a handy skill to have come finals.
Woodside were comfortable winners over Yarram.
The Wildcats were 25-point winners over the Demons, but given Yarram’s track record this year, spectators might have expected a bigger margin.
Yarram couldn’t hold back the Wildcats as they extended their lead every quarter, despite a pretty even first term. The final score was Wildcats’ 67 to Yarram’s 42.
Glengarry received some consolation for just missing finals with a good 69 to 32 win over Gormandale.
The Magpies, a quality side all year, fell just short of the top five, but to beat the Tigers by a whopping 37 goals is no easy feat and proves just how tight the competition was at the top end of the table.
Churchill got the job done.
The Cougars locked in third place on the ladder when they took the four points home from TTU.
The Bombers side was a formidable opponent, testing every inch of the Cougars in the first term, but the Cougars regrouped and found another gear to run away 25 goal winners. The final scores were 65 to 40.
Yallourn Yallourn North had the bye.
IN Round 17 of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League, Foster had 101 reasons to hurt, as Yinnar demolished the Tigers by an eye-watering 101 goals.
The Magpies asserted themselves as flag favourites with the 116-15 goal win.
Boolarra defeated Tarwin 59 to 36.
Mirboo North and Fish Creek drew, and Newborough defeated Hill End 48 to 36.
Morwell East had a decent win over Stony Creek, winning 56 to 28, while Toora and MDU had the bye.
