NETBALL

By ERIKA ALLEN

 

Gippsland League

MOE had their closest result of the Gippsland League netball season, beating the visiting Drouin team 54-45.

The Lions are still yet to drop a game after six rounds, although the Hawks gave them a good run for their money.

Drouin are expected to be among the top three teams come the end of the home-and-away season, and a 10-goal loss will give them some confidence of finding the right formula.

Stacie Gardiner led the way for the Hawks, and was well supported by Ava Gaul and April Bethune.

Gardiner’s on each side played well, with Macy doing a good job for Moe.

Ramayer Gourley shot 36 goals in the win, while Georgia Moody slotted 18. Her older sister, Alex was among the Lions best, along with Hollie Bugeja.

A close game played out between Leongatha and Morwell.

The Tigers clawed their way closer and closer to their visiting opponents with every quarter, but ultimately lost by just a single goal, 50-49.

Stand out performances came from Chloe Radford, Hayley Stringer and Seisha Boyd-Thomas for the Tigers.

Traralgon travelled to Sale and quickly shot out to a seven-point lead in the first quarter.

Sale stayed on the Maroons’ tail as the match wore on, and the home side matched Traralgon for scores in the third quarter.

Kate Van der Voort was accurate under the post for the Magpies, scoring 32 goals out of their total of 40 for the day. However, at the other end, the Maroons goal scoring guns led by Grace Van Tilburg, saw Traralgon keep their noses in front until the end, winning 51-40.

Van Tilburg was best-on-court for Traralgon, joined by Cassidy Smith and Stacey Jacobsen.

In other games, Wonthaggi was too strong for Maffra, winning 58-34.

Maffra had to drive towards the coast and were on the back foot early, as by the first change of ends, the home side led 19-7.

Chloe Felsbourg and Sienna Wynd almost spilt the Eagles’ goals between them, but Wonthaggi was too powerful in the end, with Ellie Bates, Chelsea Bowman and Alana McRae steering their side to victory.

Wynd, Matilda Pendergast and Maddy Dalton were named best for the Eagles.

Warragul got the best of Bairnsdale by 10 goals, 55-45 at home.

 

Mid Gippsland

THE penny almost dropped for Morwell East, who were one of two undefeated sides going into Round 6 of the Mid Gippsland-Netball League on Saturday.

Against a flailing Fish Creek outfit who were looking to secure their second win of the season, the Hawks almost had their first taste of defeat. But not quite – the game ended in a draw at 40 goals apiece.

Meeniyan Dumbalk United, the other undefeated team heading into the weekend, cemented their spot on top of the table with authority against Foster.

Looking like premiership favourites early in the season, MDU rolled over Foster 55-41. Despite the weekend’s match being MDU’s first away game, their confidence is only building.

Elsewhere, Toora was too strong against Thorpdale, winning 42-19 at home. In Mirboo North, the travelling Newborough side could not overcome the Tigers, losing 46-41. Meanwhile, Stony Creek broke a two-match losing streak against Tarwin, triumphing 36-28 at home.

Yinnar and Boolarra had the bye.

 

North Gippsland

ONLY one goal separated Yallourn Yallourn North and Glengarry in the North Gippsland league’s most tense match of the weekend.

Finding themselves four places above YYN on the ladder heading into Round 5, Glengarry looked the better of the two sides this year. However, YYN got their season back on track with the 39-38 triumph.

The win will give the Jets some confidence as they head into a Round 6 home game against Churchill.

Traralgon Tyers United was not challenged by Yarram, handing the Demonettes a convincing 50-goal loss, 74-24.

Meanwhile, Rosedale held off Cowwarr 44-36.

Heyfield did it easy over Gormandale, winning 60-21. Millie Riseley led the way for the Kangaroos in a best-on-court display.

Sale City, Woodside and Churchill rested with a bye.