By DAVID NAGEL
PAKENHAM and Beaconsfield are going to keep everyone guessing aren’t they, not knowing who is going to take the double-chance come finals time after playing out a thrilling draw at Toomuc Reserve on Saturday.
A high-pressure whistle-beater, from Pakenham’s Claire Gibbs, locked things away at 43 each, ending a game that swung in more directions than a kite in a tornado.
Pakenham had the better of a defensively controlled first half, leading 19-14, before Beaconsfield came back in a more high-tempo and attacking second half of netball.
Through the hard work of players like Gabby Stinear (GD), Kylie Baker (WD), Bianca Sanzaro (GS) and Andi Dickson (GA), the Eagles cut the margin to three at the final break, before hitting the front, and looking the winner in the dying stages.
Pakenham’s Lauren Lenders (C) continues to impress in her return from injury, while Meaghan Winter (WA) was a terrific players on the day.
Doveton won its first game of netball since Saturday 2 May when it easily accounted for Cranbourne, 61-42, at Robinson Oval on Saturday.
The Doves extended their five-goal lead at quarter time to eight by half-time, before ramming home its advantage with 31 goals to 20 in the second half.
Rahni Samason (GS) and Rita White-Kay (GA) formed an impressive goal-shooting partnership, handing Cranbourne its worst loss of the season and ending its finals hopes.
Top-team Narre Warren heads into this week’s bye in terrific shape, with seven wins and a draw under its belt, after a clinical 55-32 victory over ROC at Starling Road.
Chloe Phillips (GS) and Tayla Shannon (GA) were this week’s focal points, Phillips with 34, and Shannon 21 goals for the afternoon while coach Jade Heinrich (C) and defender Tracey Dell (GK) were two of the real keys to victory.
Tooradin has hope in its heart that a win is just around the corner after going down to league-powerhouse Hampton Park by just four goals, 40-36, at Robert Booth Reserve.
The winless Seagulls’ smallest losing margin this season had been 15, against Beaconsfield in round seven, but they improved on that with a brave second-half revival. The Redbacks led by 11 at half time, before Dayle Willis (GA), Stacey Sawyer (WD) and Rachel Cole (GK) combined to drag the Seagulls back into the contest.
The Seagulls cut a nine-goal deficit at three-quarter time to just four at the final whistle. Hampton Park’s form is now in question with Saturday’s uninspiring victory following on from a 31-goal smashing at the hands of Narre Warren last week.
Maddison Hanlen, Chloe Birch and Cathy Leeves had enough in the tank to get the favourites over the line.
