GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD enters its second derby game in the last three rounds of the Mininera and District Netball Association A grade competition, when the Rams travel to Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve to battle Hawkesdale-Macarthur for not only the premiership points, but the bragging rights as well.

Last weekend these teams had vastly different results with the Eagles thrashing Lismore-Derrinallum by 31 goals and the Rams being thrashed by reigning premiers Tatyoon by 38 goals.

Turnover ball will be vital as the sides are evenly matched and whichever team capitalise on the opposition’s mistakes will win.

“The message to the players will be the importance of sticking to our game plan and style and each player on the court working out what their direct opponent likes to do and begin combating that as quickly as possible, Glenthompson-Dunkeld coach, Laura Matthews said.

Mel Blackberry has been a rock in defence for the Eagles this season and she will be looking to continue her good form this afternoon.

Hawkesdale-Macarthur coach, Josie Barker is buoyant about the feeling around the club leading into the game.

“It’s been great to see the success across the club in both netball and footy in so many teams, and the way we are building a wining culture is a credit to the whole club,” she said.

“If we can play four consistent quarters, with the accuracy from our shooters, playing patient netball and creating lots of pressure for the opposition, this will put in us a great position to win.”

Penshurst v Wickliffe-Lake Bolac

PENSHURST currently sits on the sixth rung of the premiership ladder, and it hosts Wickliffe-Lake Bolac at Penshurst Recreation Reserve this afternoon knowing that the finals equation remains as it was; every game must be won if the Bombers hope to play finals.

With seven rounds remaining before the post season begins, Penshurst is eight premiership points adrift of fifth place and simply cannot afford to drop even one game if it wants to play come September.

The Magpies are ninth and will not play finals, but they can derail the campaigns of other teams still in the race so the Bombers must treat their visitors with the same respect as they would a top five team.

Two very narrow losses in their last three games hurt the Penshurst side and their plans for finals, but the team is well coached and playing good netball which bodes well for the remainder of the season.

Other games

SMW ROVERS hosts Lismore-Derrinallum at Mininera Recreation Reserve and the Bulldogs are in form after a win and a narrow two-goal loss in their last two outings, while the Demons have been thrashed in their last games.

The Demons are in the same boat as Penshurst, in that they have to win every game from here on to claim the premiership and it starts today.

DESPITE Great Western and Moyston-Willaura being at the wrong end of the ladder, the Lions will take care of business at Moyston Recreation Reserve today.

UNDEFEATED top two, Tatyoon and Ararat Eagles finally meet this season and all roads lead to Tatyoon Recreation Reserve today as the reigning premiers host the team that is expected to give them their toughest challenge to date.

This game could well be decided on an umpires call or a spilt pass, so evenly matches are the teams.

THIRD placed Woorndoo-Mortlake has the road trip to Caramut Recreation Reserve today and they will defeat the Swans to draw closer to the loser of Tatyoon and Ararat Eagles.