By Marcus Uhe
Narre Warren appears to have shaken off any lingering emotions of last year’s grand final loss to Olinda Ferny Creek, having accounted for them for the second time this season on Saturday.
A strong last quarter saw the Magpies finish 56-45, but they didn’t have it all their own way as the Bloods put up a fight in the middle quarters.
Narre Warren led 18-10 at quarter time but were outscored 18-26 over the following two periods as Olinda Ferny Creek managed to tie the scores at the final break.
But the Magpies have made a habit of playing strong final quarters in recent weeks and this was no different, scoring 20 goals to their opponent’s nine to power home with their 13th win.
Jemma Osborne led all players in scoring with 41 goals, eclipsing Hailey Howard’s 34 for the reigning premiers.
Brittany Mashado and Holly Taubert had a compelling battle at Centre, while Clare Vearing was crucial for Narre Warren with 15 goals.
Critically, it means the Bloods fall from third to fifth on the ladder, as Wandin and Beaconsfield leapfrogged them into third and fourth, respectively.
At Pakenham, Wandin weathered the absences of key players in stars Maddy George and Kyah Kimpton to thrash the Lions 68-38.
The Bulldogs took a slim lead into the opening break before running away with the game in the remainder of the contest, outscoring the Lions 54-29 in the following three periods.
Wandin’s fast ball movement from the court’s extremities to the centre corridor was wicked and created isolation scoring opportunities for star shooter Emmalia Blake, too big and too tall for Eliza Molino.
At the other end of the court, the Bulldogs defenders forced the Lions into taking difficult long shots away from the post.
Blake finished with 62 goals as her reign atop the goal scorer’s list continues.
The absence of key front-court players in Rose Laidlaw and Lara Goodman Hancock continues to hurt Pakenham, forced to draw on its depth and blooding youngsters such as Kyana Eagle, who played her first Senior A Grade game on Saturday.
A half-century of goals from Rory Barr was critical in Mt Evelyn’s 66-56 win over Monbulk, maintaining the Rovers’ grip on second place.
The Rovers made the early running on their home court to establish an eight-goal lead at the long break, a lead the Hawks weren’t able to chase-down in the high-scoring contest.
Kaila Swindell supported Barr superbly with 15 goals of her own, while the defensive pairing of Kaitlyn Black and Jess Hoskin was excellent for the Rovers.
Barr’s efforts saw her close the gap on Hayley Howard, second on the goal scorer’s ladder, to just one goal.
Peri Reid scored 48 for Monbulk in a true shootout between two stars at both ends of the court.
Gembrook Cockatoo scored its highest tally of the season but it wasn’t enough to overcome Beaconsfield thanks to a dominant first half from the Eagles.
A scoreline of 36-13 at the half killed the contest early, despite the Brookers putting up an excellent fight in the second half to ensure the lead did not balloon even further, finishing 62-35 in the Eagles’ favour.
Elizabeth Murphy’s hot run of form continued, scoring 49 goals for the Eagles, while Mary Miles played a valiant role in defence for Gembrook Cockatoo.
The premiership quarter was decisive in Upwey Tecoma’s 10-goal victory in a low-scoring contest against Berwick.
The Tigers prevailed 32-26 after outscoring Berwick 12-6 in the third quarter.
Molly Argoon scored 27 for the Tigers to outscore Berwick on her own.
Emily Tatt and Holly Moulday were critical for Berwick in the middle of the court.
With Monbulk four games adrift of Olinda Ferny Creek in fifth, the finals combatants have now been decided, but all positions from fifth to first are yet to be finalised.
Narre Warren can secure first place next week with a win over Upwey Tecoma, but just four points separate Mt Evelyn in second, and Olinda Ferny Creek in fifth.
