By DAVID NAGEL
HAMPTON Park and its gun goal-shooter Emma Ryde have thrown down the gauntlet to top-of-the-table Narre Warren after inflicting the Magpies’ first loss of the season, a 44-40 victory at Robert Booth Reserve.
“She’s a game-changer for us, there’s no doubt about that, but we were really strong all over the court,” Hampton Park coach Kylie Kibble said.
“Both sides were strong, the pressure was fantastic, and it was probably the best game I’ve ever coached in. It was a confidence booster for us but we know it’s not going to be easy to beat them again.”
Sara Drain was brilliant for the Redbacks, playing centre, leading a midcourt rotation that included Zoe Ryde, Chloe Birch, Maddison Hanlen and Cathy Leeves that more than matched it with the Magpies’ highly-rated middle third.
Magpie defenders Tracey Dell and Kara Hargraves now know what to expect from Emma when the two teams collide again in September.
Coach Jade Heinrich can also work closely with Erin Clark and Leigh Taylor to formulate a way of blocking up Drain.
Doveton, the sleeping-giant of SEFNL, will play finals this year after a devastating second-half performance led to a 12-goal, 52-40, victory over Berwick at Robinson Reserve.
The reigning champs led by just a goal at half-time, but took control of the contest in the third quarter, scoring 13 goals to eight, and then repeated the dose with a 14 goal to eight final term.
Rahni Samason and Cara Humbert were once again outstanding bookends for the winners, while Sarah McDermott and Amanda Goodie signed off with great games for the Wickers.
Beaconsfield finished with a real spring in its step to down Cranbourne by 12 goals, 48-36, at Holm Park Reserve.
The Battle of the Eagles was a tight-old affair in the first half, Beacy leading 23-21, before wing attack Georgie Benbow sparked the home side into action after the break.
Benbow had a brilliant second half and her synchronicity with Andi Dickson (GA) and Bianca Sanzaro (GS) was sensational to watch at times.
She struck like a cobra, looking calm and composed before pulling the trigger and firing in pass after quality pass.
Carissa Rakip, Steph Ryan and Jess O’Hanlon, who slipped out of the goal-ring to play wing attack, were great triers for Cranny.
Third-placed Pakenham has stretched its winning streak to four with a comfortable 47-22 victory over Tooradin at Toomuc Reserve.
The Lions now have one more game, against ROC, to prepare for a qualifying final against Hampton Park, a team they drew with back in round 13.
The two Meaghans, Cook and Winter, were terrific for Kerry Twyford’s side, while Rachel Cole, Dayle Willis and Ebony Dolan were fantastic contributors for the Seagulls. ROC had the bye.
