By Marcus Uhe
Narre Warren have rocketed to the top of the Outer East Premier Division netball ladder after inflicting a second consecutive defeat of previous ladder-leaders Wandin 60-46 at home.
Dominant first and third quarters were crucial for the home side, outscoring the Bulldogs 39-17 over those periods to establish a considerable buffer.
Missing Charlotte Spinks for a third-straight week, much of Wandin’s goalscoring was left to Emmalia Blake, who scored 43 of Wandin’s 46, where the Magpies were able to share responsibilities through their dual-threat in attack of Clare Vearing (24) and Jemma Osborne (32).
Lupe Fonua continues to impress for the home side, fitting into place at senior level having earned a promotion from the under 17s earlier in the season.
The story was similar for Beaconsfield at nearby Holm Park Reserve, who accounted for Pakenham 56-30 on the back of a half-century of goals for Elizabeth Murphy.
The Eagles flew out to a 21-12 lead at the first break, before scoring dried-up almost completely for both sides who scored just four goals each in the second term.
The half time break allowed for the Eagles to recharge their batteries and launch again in the third term, outscoring the young Lions 18-2 to lead by 25 at the final break.
While Pakenham mounted a good fight in the final term, the deficit was too great to overcome.
Murphy became just the fourth player to achieve the 50 goal milestone in a game this year, joining Wandin’s Blake (twice), Olinda Ferny Creek’s Hailey Howard and Monbulk’s Peri Reid, who each have reached the marker once.
For Pakenham, Rose Laidlaw made a welcome return to the side in her first game since round seven, scoring 20 goals.
Mt Evelyn suffered a shock loss to Upwey Tecoma 41-43 in what was just the Tigers’ third win of the season.
A tight contest all day saw the lead never stretch beyond three at any break in the contest, and the Tigers lead by one at the final change of ends.
A low-scoring final term 8-7 in favour of the Tigers was enough to secure the upset, only the third time the Rovers have suffered defeat in 2023, but critically they manage to maintain third place on the table.
One game back from Mt Evelyn is Olinda Ferny Creek, who took care of business at home against Berwick 55-44.
An eight-goal advantage at the end of the first quarter was too much for Berwick to overcome, despite tallying its third-highest score of 2023.
Emma Clarke led Berwick in scoring, matching Olinda Ferny Creek’s Howard’s tally of 23.
Monbulk, meanwhile, heaped pain on Gembrook Cockatoo with another heavy defeat, winning 62-23.
It was the Brookers’ sixth consecutive score of under 30 goals, who continue to struggle in premier division without a win to its name.
The eight-point gap between Olinda Ferny Creek and Monbulk in fifth and sixth respectively alludes to the final five being already set, but with six rounds to play, the challenge for the sides on the outer is plain to see.
