NETBALL
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
IN a Latrobe Valley showdown in which both side sit top three on the ladder, Moe took the game when it matter, 61 to 49 at Ted Summerton Reserve that headlined Round 16 of the Gippsland League.
The Tigers opened out the gate well, leading at the end of the first quarter by two goals.
The duel reigning premier Lions then responded with an emphatic 18-6 run through to halftime, leading by double digits at the main break.
Morwell dipped into their deficit momentarily as play resumed in the third term, but Moe answered back to finish strongly.
Olivia Barnett continues to be dominant in defence, followed by Georgia Moody and Charlize Bird.
Ashlea Mawer poured in 43 goals for the Lions.
Hayley Stringer, Tanya Budge, and Holly Stephens (36 goals) were amongst the best for the Tigers.
Stephens recently claimed runners-up best and fairest for the Championship-level in the Victorian Netball League, for which she plays for Casey.
Traralgon picked up a welcome victory late into the season, defeating Wonthaggi 64-43 at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve.
After holding a four-goal lead at halftime, the Maroons took it up a gear and ran home with a 35-18 second half.
Despite being out of the finals race for a number of weeks now, the young side is still remaining competitive into the final stretch of the home-and-away season.
Bronwyn Tebb and Indiana de Dios were best for Traralgon, while the scoring punch came from Emma White (43 goals) and Sophie Lecchino (20).
Other results included Drouin and Leongatha drawing, 49-all at Morwell Recreation Reserve, Warragul smashing Maffra, 86-24 at Maffra Recreation Reserve, and Bairnsdale picking up a needed win over Sale, 65-45 at Bairnsdale City Oval.
YINNAR got back on track with a 57-41 dismantling of Newborough at Yinnar Recreation Reserve in Round 17 of Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League.
The win gives the Magpies separation between the clump of teams making up the rest of the top six, with Yinnar sitting clear third on the ladder.
Toora easily pasted Thorpdale, 70-24 at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve to keep themselves in the mix with Meenyian Dumbalk United and Mirboo North – all on 10 wins for the year.
Mirboo North lost to Foster (who sit top of the ladder), 72-45 at Mirboo North Recreation Reserve, while MDU fell to Fish Creek (second), 41-40 at Terrill Park.
Stony Creek also defeated Hill End, 43-29 at Stony Creek Recreation Area, leaving them two games back of the pack.
As it currently stands, the top three in both football and netball in Mid Gippsland is placed exactly the same.
Morwell East, Tarwin, and Boolarra had the bye.
FIVE spots, but six teams still in the hunt.
North Gippsland FNL will take until the very last round to determine the order of the finals race, after Round 17 added more flair to the season.
Gormandale picked up a necessary win over Glengarry, 57-37 at Glengarry Recreation Reserve, shooting them into second on the ladder.
Despite Sale City returning to form with a one-goal defeat of Traralgon Tyers United at Tyers Recreation Reserve, the Bulldogs currently have to make do with third spot at the moment.
Woodside handled Yallourn Yallourn North, 64-33 at Woodside Recreation Reserve to keep them in fourth.
Heyfield easily surpassed Cowwarr, 66-23 at Gordon Street Reserve to keep themselves in the hunt for fifth, just behind TTU.
In defeating Glengarry this weekend in the final round, the Kangaroos will have the opportunity to leapfrog the Bombers if they lose to YYN.
Churchill defeated Rosedale, 48-35 to hold on to first on the ladder.
