By Marcus Uhe
Shock losses to both Beaconsfield and Olinda Ferny Creek have seen them slip into the dreaded mid-table of the A Grade netball ladder after eight rounds.
Having got the better of Narre Warren before the long weekend, Mt Evelyn’s strong form continued when action resumed, defeating Beaconsfield by seven goals in a low scoring affair, 35-28.
The Eagles led at the halfway mark of the contest but were outscored 20-11 in the second half, producing their lowest scoring game of the campaign to date.
Rory Barr came off the bench for the Rovers to score 24 goals, and Zara Treweek added 16 for the Eagles.
In similar scenes at Olinda Ferny Creek, a brilliant second half from Monbulk saw it run away with an upset victory over the reigning premier.
A one-goal lead at half time grew to 10 after the third quarter thanks to a 17-8 run, before finishing 49-41 in the Hawks’ favour.
Tall shooter Peri Reid scored 40 goals to ignite the victory, while Olinda Ferny Creek star Hailey Howard was held to just 25 at the other end of the court.
At Kalora Park, Narre Warren returned to the winners list with a 24-goal thrashing of Upwey Tecoma.
The margin grew at every interval before the Magpies rubbed salt into the Tigers’ wounds with a 14-3 fourth quarter.
Erin Bell called Jemma Osborne off the bench and the shooter made the most of the opportunity provided, nailing a season-high 27 goals.
Anaisis Tupuailei was instrumental at the other end of the court, meanwhile, in holding the Tigers to their lowest score of 2023.
The Magpies’ win takes them to second, still chasing the Bulldogs’ tails at the top of the mountain.
Wandin, for its part, remains undefeated, thanks to a 10-goal win over Berwick.
A Grade’s leading scorer Emmalia Blake continues to be unstoppable in the goal circle, scoring another 41 in the wire-to-wire victory, 50-40.
