GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKLED has its fate in its hands after a loss to Woorndoo-Mortlake at Woorndoo Recreation Reserve on Saturday, 9.6 (60) to 15.16 (106), putting the Rams chances of playing finals on a knife edge.
In perfect conditions, the Tigers made a fast start to the game, kicking six goals to one in the first quarter and the second quarter was more of the same with the home side adding a further four majors to take a 49-point lead into the long break.
The visitors needed to regroup during the break and looked to come back with a renewed intensity, as the side drew a line in the sand with the second half being won by Glenthompson-Dunkeld, 40–37.
DJ Woods, Lachlan Phillips, Thomas Waters, Ben Potter, and Jezza Woods stood out for the Rams, while Chris McLeod was the best of the goal kickers with three.
Penhurst d Great Western
PENHURST made light work of its home game against Great Western, as the Bombers controlled the game from the outset to win, 22.24 (156) to 2.5 (17).
The opening quarter was a tight affair and didn’t shed any light on what was to come, as the Bombers held a 21-point lead at quarter time.
The second term saw the home side start to play free-flowing football, as the midfield swept the ball forward seemingly at will with the forwards adding seven majors to see the lead balloon out to 11 goals by the half time siren.
Great Western took stock over the break and came out in the third quarter to take the game up to the home side, kicking two goals to three for the term.
The final term saw the Lions completely outclassed, as they were held scoreless while Penhurst added nine goals, although the kicking for goal was off on the day with the Bombers kicking more behinds than goals.
Sam Weston, Josh Rentsch, Jock Barrie, Cooper Rentsch, Nathan Rentsch, and Jack Kruger were the best for the home side, with Josh Rentsch adding nine majors to increase his season tally to 36.
The Bombers remain undefeated at the top of the ladder, level on points with Wickliffe-Lake Bolac.
Hawkesdale-Macarthur d Moyston-Willaura
HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR moved into fifth on the ladder with a strong victory against Moyston-Willaura at Willaura Recreation Reserve, 21.19 (145) to 10.12 (72).
The Eagles controlled the game from the first term, with six goals in the opening quarter, and the team built upon that foundation.
The team booted 8.1 in the second term, continuing its dominance, as the Eagles carried a 45-point lead into half.
The Pumas came back to take the game up to the visitors and give their supporters some hope, as the teams matched each other with three goals apiece in the third quarter.
The home side couldn’t sustain the momentum in the final quarter though, as Hawkesdale-Macarthur kicked away to win comfortably with Lachlan Glare, Sam Hodgins, Alexander White, Xavier McCartney, Aaron Seabrook, and Jaxen Dalton being the best for the visitors.
Other games
LISMORE-DERRINALLUM produced a 13 goals to three second half to win easily against the Swans at Caramut Recreation Reserve, 22.20 (152) to 6.2 (38).
After being held scoreless in the opening quarter, the Swans came out and matched the Demons with three goals apiece in the second term, but from there it was all one-way traffic as the Demons swamped their hosts in the second half.
Tatyoon has risen to seventh on the ladder after getting back on the winners list by defeating SMW Rovers at Tatyoon Recreation Reserve, 15.11 (101) to 5.4 (34).
Victory was set up in the second and third terms as the Hawks held the Bulldogs to only 1.3 for the two quarters while the home side kicked 8.6 in the same period.
Wickliffe-Lake Bolac has maintained its undefeated start to the season with a big win over Ararat Eagles at Lake Bolac Recreation Reserve, 18.17 (125) to 7.6 (48).
It was a game of dominant first half which set up the win, as the Magpies held the Eagles scoreless in the second quarter to lead by 56 points at the long break and going on to win comfortably at the final siren.
Netball
HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR is within touching distance of the Mininera and District Netball Association A grade top five after a strong victory on the road at Willaura Recreation Reserve on Saturday, as the Eagles took care of Moyston-Willaura, 59-29.
Only percentage is keeping the Eagles from that fifth place (or higher), as its equal on points with both Penhurst and Glenthompson-Dunkeld.
An 18-goal first quarter set up the victory, as the visitors produced clean, quick netball to swamp the Pumas and from there on as the lead grew with each passing quarter.
Once again Mel Blackberry was awarded with best on court honours for the Eagles, while Victoria North was equally impressive, as Olivia Twaddle put up 39 goals to take her season tally to 167.
“It was great to get a good win on the weekend, it gave the girls a huge confidence boost,” Hawkesdale-Macarthur coach, Josie Barker said.
With the next three games against teams lower than the Eagles on the ladder, Barker will maintain the message to her squad.
“The game message will always remain the same and that is to play simple netball, if we can do the basics right and work hard while we do the basics, we should nearly always put ourselves in a good position,” Barker said.
“I think our team can work on playing four consistent quarters of netball, however we have had lots of changes and rotations in our side for the first six games, so I expect this to become better within the next month.”
Penshurst d Great Western
PENSHURST took control of the game from the first quarter, defeating the Lions at Penshurst Recreation Reserve, 54–22.
The Bombers continually produced turnover ball and the home side took full advantage of the extra time with the ball in hand, as the side moved the ball quickly up court to the goalers.
The game was all but over at half time, as Penshurst led by 15 goals and from there, they only extended the margin in a percentage-boosting victory.
Woorndoo-Mortlake d Glenthompson-Dunkeld
AFTER starting the season with four wins from the first five rounds, Glenthompson-Dunkeld was brought back to earth at Woorndoo Recreation Reserve, as the home side maintained its game plan for all four quarters to win, 56-29.
The Rams were starved of possession early in the contest, as the Tigers continually turned the ball over, and registering only single figure scores for each quarter meant the visitors were always trailing on the scoreboard.
Rams goal shooter, Jane Robertson, was again the best on court for the visitors, but even she was held to only 12 goals for the game.
Glenthompson-Dunkeld holds down fifth place on the ladder via percentage, equal on points with both Penshurst and Hawkesdale-Macarthur.
Other games
LISMORE-DERRINALLUM staged a fourth quarter fight back to grab the points against the red and white side at Caramut Recreation Reserve, 41-38.
The game ebbed and flowed between the teams, as players produced a thrilling game that was tied at 20-20 at the main break.
The Swans were ahead by a single goal at the last change of ends, but the Demons grabbed turnover ball at vital stages of the final quarter to ensure they claimed victory.
A strong 20-goal first quarter put ladder leader, Tatyoon, in the box seat against SMW Rovers at Tatyoon Recreation Reserve with the Hawks winning, 72-22.
Ararat Eagles were far too strong for Wickliffe-Lake Bolac as the Eagles recorded comfortable victory on the road at Lake Bolac Recreation Reserve, 52-21, in the final game of the round.
