By Marcus Uhe
Mt Evelyn has done what no side has been able to do all year, throwing a cat amongst the pigeons with a one-goal win over Wandin at the kennel.
Previously undefeated heading into the contest, you’d be hard-pressed to find a challenge in A-Grade netball bigger than not only beating Wandin, but doing it on the Bulldogs’ home court.
Having only fallen by five goals in the round one encounter and entering the contest as one of the form teams of the league, wining their last four, the Rovers were primed to do something big, and they delivered in spades.
Leading at every break, the Rovers withstood a final quarter flurry to secure the vital 52-51 victory that will resonate across the competition.
Kaitlyn Black did a superb job on Wandin star Emmalia Blake, restricting her to her second-lowest goal-scoring total of the season with 35.
The loss brings Wandin to only two points clear on the table of its conquerors and Narre Warren, in third and second respectively.
The Magpies thrashed Pakenham 66-28, thanks largely to a breathtaking 20-2 opening quarter.
The under-strength Lions, featuring four players from their first A Grade contest of 2023, were no match for the rapid and decisive ball movement Narre Warren could offer.
Jemma Osborne was on fire under the ring for the Magpies, barely missing a shot in the opening half as a chief benefactor of the slick ball movement.
After Pakenham were able to regroup at the first break, the Lions offered considerably more resistance to the Magpies’ ballistic movement, and had a renewed focus to maximise the height of Ashwini Nadarajah under the post.
But for every win Pakenham had, Narre Warren was a step ahead, able to answer back regularly when required.
The lead extended at every break, and a typically ruthless Magpies even saved one of their best quarters for last in a 17-7 close to the game.
Lupe Fonua continues to impress for last year’s runner up, having earned promotion from the 17-under squad earlier in the campaign, as did Pakenham pair Abby Curtis and Elayne Schneider.
Narre Warren can jump Wandin and take top-spot if they can inflict a second consecutive defeat on the Bulldogs at home next week, in what shapes as a mouth-watering contest.
At Holm Park, Beaconsfield snapped its two-game losing streak with a five-goal victory over Monbulk.
The Eagles trailed at the opening break but outscored the Hawks 37-29 for the remainder of the contest to finish 48-43 in the ascendency.
Elizabeth Murphy made a welcome return for the Eagles, nailing 42 goals in her first game since round four.
At Upwey Tecoma, 30 goals off the bench on A-Grade debut from Sophia Bloch helped Olinda Ferny Creek thrash the Tigers.
Bloch stepped-up in the absence of Hayley Howard and filled the vacancy with aplomb in the 60-35 victory.
The reigning champions outscored the Tigers 50-26 after the first quarter in a much-needed percentage boost as they endeavour to remain in-touch with the top four.
Berwick is back on the winners list, having thrashed Gembrook Cockatoo by 35 goals at home.
Needing a win after dropping its last six, a resolute defensive performance kept the Brookers to a miserly five goals across the second and third quarter, including just one in the third, where the home side added 16 of its own.
An even spread of contributors saw Emma Clarke add 24, Brooke Abu-Jaber 15 and Darcy Utber 17, while Chelsea Ingram added 14 for the Brookers.
