By Jonty Ralphsmith
It was a weekend of tight finishes in Outer East Premier Division netball with four of the five games decided by four goals or fewer.
ROC has upset Narre Warren in a thrilling one-goal match between two sides likely to clash in September.
Down by six goals at halftime and three goals at the final break, ROC rallied and a 14-10 final quarter got them over the line.
The win over top-placed Narre Warren proves ROC are right in the mix to take out the premiership.
After a surprise loss to Monbulk last week, the victory ensures ROC consolidate third position.
ROC will take on Olinda Ferny Creek in the qualifying final next Sunday at 3.30pm.
Erin Bell scored 24 goals for Narre Warren and Keeley Burgmann was ROC’s top scorer with 19 goals.
Olinda Ferny Creek will also enter that final off a tight win, overcoming Wandin by three goals after scores were gridlocked at three-quarter-time.
Hayley Howard scored 33 of Olinda Ferny Creek’s 43 goals and Emmalia Blake scored 37 of her side’s goals.
At Woori Yallock, Mount Evelyn overcame the home side by four goals.
Up by six goals at three-quarter-time, the visitors were able to maintain the ascendancy in the final quarter.
Kaila Swindell, Gabby Bingley and Steph Crilly were all named in the best for Mount Evelyn.
With finals not on the cards for Pakenham, it had a disappointing close to the home and away season, going down to fourth-placed Monbulk by 15 goals.
Pakenham was never seriously able to challenge Monbulk after trailing by five goals at quarter time.
Eliza Molino was named best player and sharpshooter Rose Laidlaw again contributed, scoring 24 goals.
With a 6-12 win-loss record this season, Pakenham complete the season in seventh position.
In the other premier division match, Beaconsfield defeated Upwey Tecoma by three goals.
DIVISION ONE
It was second v third on the division one ladder, but the gulf between the two sides suggested a far greater ladder gap when Seville defeated Emerald by 29 goals.
Seville has been entrenched in the top two with Berwick for much of the season, with each side losing only one game, whereas Seville is 10-6-1.
Emerald actually led at quarter time, by two goals, but conceded 32 goals in the next two quarters while managing just nine of their own, allowing Seville to cruise to victory.
Hayley Ray put in a mammoth effort with 50 goals.
Berwick easily accounted for Belgrave by 24 goals, but also trailed at quarter time – by four goals – while Yarra Glen defeated Berwick Springs by 15 goals.
That match closes out a disappointing season for Berwick Springs which managed just two wins from 17 games, finishing on the bottom of the table.
