By David Nagel
Upwey Tecoma currently rules the jungle in Outer East Division 1 women’s football after the Tigers comfortably handled Pakenham in the battle of the big cats at Toomuc Reserve.
Lions’ youngster Emily Johnston gave the home crowd something to cheer about in the early stages of the contest, kicking the opening goal of the match to give the Lions a six-point lead.
But the class of the Tigers would soon separate the two sides, with three goals to reigning league medal winner Jess Occhipinti propelling the visitors to a 7.6(48) to 1.0(6) success.
A goal to Haylee Deichsel kick started the Tigers into action with Upwey taking an eight-point lead to the first change.
Occhipinti then kicked the only two goals of the second stanza; the Lions 20 points adrift at half time.
Kasey Exposito, Emily Devine, Sienna Jones, Annalise Ryan, Emily Johnston and Tanya Stafford battled things out for the Lions, while Johnston and Rielle Menere are two up-and-coming youngsters that the Lions can bank on for years to come.
Penelope Dousset and Niamh Hunter-Clear kicked important goals for the winners, before skipper Alex Bantock finished off the job with a goal after the final siren.
Madison Walsh, Corinna White, Ari Dousset and Tahlia Sheehan were also major ball winners for the Tigers, who currently sit in second place on the ladder.
The Lions have now lost four on the trot after a round-one victory over Woori Yallock.
Pakenham has the bye this week, while Upwey Tecoma faces the ultimate test at home against undefeated Mt Evelyn.
The Rovers were once again dominant on the weekend; producing a stunning five-goal first quarter on their way to a 10.9(69) to 1.0(6) victory over Olinda Ferny Creek.
The Rovers were inspired from the first bounce, kicking 5.2 to no score in the opening quarter to take control of the match.
The Bloods were a lot more competitive in the second and third terms, but a 3.4 to 0.0 final term blew the margin to beyond 10 goals.
Sherice Oliver jagged three for the Rovers and Kiara Simons two, while Caitlin Hoskin, Lilly Kelly, Savannah Bowden and Jessica Hoskin were among the better players on the ground.
Phoebe Dixon kicked the only goal for the Bloods, while class acts such as Madeleine Collins, Olivia Edwards, Lily Carlin and Chelsea Wilson never gave up the ghost.
In the final game of round six, Healesville scored a 6.10(46) to 0.3(3) victory over Belgrave.
Healesville shared the load nicely with Adelaide Caldicott, Madi Cameron, Sarah Frazzetto, Paula Pavic, Ishka-Belle Stock and Monique Willemsen all piercing the big sticks in an overall team performance.
Catherine Smith, Charlotte Crabtree, Shelby Hauler and Yvonne Pleydell fought the game out well for the Magpies.
In Division 2, runaway leader Warburton Wesburn had the bye, allowing its main challengers to steal the spotlight for a week.
All three games were quite competitive as a result, with Seville, Wandin and Emerald all forced to work hard for the four points.
Orla Murray kicked three and Jess Beraud two in Seville’s 6.7(43) to 4.4(28) win over Yea, while Lauren Sullivan slotted two important goals in Wandin’s come-from-behind victory over Thornton-Eildon.
The Bulldogs trailed by five points at half time, but a 2.4 to 0.4 second half saw the home side record a hectic five-point triumph.
And Emerald is holding firm in the top three after a three-goal win over Officer.
Steph Thomas kicked two goals for the Bombers, and Caitlin Ellis and Laura Gillard one each, while Paige Nguyen, Emily Thomas and Brielle Tipping were pivotal players around the ground.
Shelby Crothers kicked the only goal for the Kangaroos and was joined by Ebony Code, Taya Rob, Madeline Caarels, Chelsea Barkwith and Holly Simmons on the visitor’s best players list.
In Eastern Division 2, the Berwick women’s team suffered the same result as its male counterparts, losing by one point on Saturday.
The Wickers trailed all day, but a solitary last-quarter goal took the game all the way down to the wire.
And Beaconsfield also put up an improved performance, with Georgia Malkoun and Shae O’Connell kicking goals in an 18-point defeat at the hands of Mooroolbark.
OUTER EAST WOMEN’S
Div 1 Ladder: Mt Evelyn 20, Upwey Tecoma 16, Olinda Ferny Creek 12, Healesville 12, Belgrave 8, Pakenham 4, Woori Yallock 0.
Div 1 Fixture R7: Woori Yallock v Belgrave, Upwey Tecoma v Mt Evelyn, Olinda Ferny Creek v Healesville. Bye: Pakenham.
Div 2 Ladder: Warburton Wesburn 20, Wandin 16, Emerald 16, Thornton Eildon 12, Seville 4, Yea 4, Officer 0.
Div 2 Fixture R7: Yea v Warburton Wesburn, Seville v Emerald, Officer v Wandin. Bye: Thornton Eildon.
