By Jonty Ralphsmith
Monbulk has closed to within two points of fourth-placed Wandin in Outer East Premier Division with an eight goal win on the weekend.
Wandin led at every break but was kept to just seven goals in the final quarter as Monbulk piled on 18 to run over the top of the hosts.
Charlotte Sparks, Kiara Smith and Brittany Tait were gallant in defeat for Wandin and Stephanie Puopolo typically carried the load of her team’s scoring, getting Monbulk’s best afield with 45 goals.
Bottom-placed Beaconsfield also caused an upset to get its second win of the season, beating middle-of-the-table Pakenham.
It was a tight tussle all day, and Beaconsfield trailed at every break, but Pakenham was unable to shake the hosts off, who eventually came away with a two-goal victory.
Pakenham was kept to six goals in the final quarter of a low scoring affair with Rose Laidlaw’s 26 goals in vain.
The victory gives Beaconsfield a real shot to lift off the foot of the ladder, as it sits just two points behind ninth-placed Upwey Tecoma, which it plays in the final round in what will likely be a hotly-contested match.
Beaconsfield will also like its chances against eighth-placed Woori Yallock next weekend.
Woori Yallock was easily accounted for at home by top-placed Narre Warren, going down by 17 goals.
Although Narre Warren had the ascendancy for the first half, Woori Yallock drew within nine goals at three-quarter-time, giving itself a late pulse, but the visitors proved too strong.
Elizabeth Murphy scored 33 goals for Woori Yallock and Erin Bell showed her experience with 38 goals.
In a clash that will go a long way to deciding the top two, Olinda Ferny Creek flexed its muscle against ROC, winning by 15 goals.
The victory was set up by a 20-10 first quarter and Olinda Ferny Creek was able to maintain that ascendancy all game.
Hayley Howard scored 37 goals for the victors with Krista Tomlinson and Taylah Werner also contributing.
In the other game of the round, Upwey Tecoma edged Mount Evelyn by two goals.
FIXTURE
ROC v Mount Evelyn, Narre Warren v Olinda Ferny Creek, Monbulk v Upwey Tecoma, Pakenham v Wandin, Woori Yallock v Beaconsfield.
DIVISION ONE
Top-two sides Berwick and Seville showed their strength on the weekend and highlighted the gulf between themselves and the rest of the competition.
Hosting third-placed Emerald, Berwick won by 46 goals.
The visitors were kept to just four goals in each of the first two quarters and were only able to put 20 goals on the board all match, while Berwick scored at least 15 goals each quarter.
Skipper Emma Clarke piled on 37 goals.
Seville, meanwhile, were far too strong for lowly Berwick Springs, winning by 57 goals.
The game did not get out of hand in the first quarter, with Seville leading by five goals at the first break, but Berwick Springs managed only seven goals after that.
It was party time in the second half as Seville piled on 41 goals.
In the other game, Belgrave defeated Gembrook Cockatoo by 15 goals.
Gembrook Cockatoo led by two goals at quarter-time but let the game slip after that, falling behind by nine goals by three-quarter-time, making the final quarter relatively comfortable for Belgrave.
Ashlee Murphy scored 36 goals for the Magpies with Rebecca Taylor and Analiese Carroll also among the best players.
FIXTURE
Yarra Glen v Seville, Gembrook Cockatoo v Emerald, Berwick Springs v Berwick.
Outer East Netball Scoreboard
PREMIER DIVISION
A GRADE
Upwey Tecoma 50 v Mount Evelyn 48, Woori Yallock 54 v Narre Warren 71, Wandin 47 v Monbulk 55, ROC 45 v Olinda Ferny Creek 60, Beaconsfield 37 v Pakenham 35.
DIVISION ONE
A GRADE
Berwick Springs 15 v Seville 72, Belgrave 53 v Gembrook Cockatoo 38, Berwick 66 v Emerald 20.
LADDERS
PREMIER DIVISION
A GRADE W L D F A % PTS
Narre Warren 15 0 0 835 498 167.67 60
Olinda Ferny Creek 11 3 1 804 582 138.14 46
ROC 10 4 1 636 614 103.58 42
Wandin 9 6 0 641 627 102.23 36
Monbulk 8 6 1 681 658 103.50 34
Pakenham 6 9 0 562 591 95.09 24
Mt Evelyn 5 10 0 488 616 79.22 20
Woori Yallock 4 11 0 684 748 91.44 16
Upwey Tecoma 3 12 0 618 750 82.40 12
Beaconsfield 2 12 1 454 719 63.14 10
DIVISION ONE
A GRADE P W L D F A % Points
Berwick 14 1 0 823 373 220.64 56
Seville 13 1 0 743 461 161.17 52
Emerald 8 5 1 627 569 110.19 34
Yarra Glen 6 8 0 536 538 99.63 24
Belgrave 5 10 0 568 742 76.55 20
Gembrook Cockatoo 4 10 1 543 660 82.27 18
Berwick Springs 2 12 0 371 699 53.08 8
