By David Nagel
Consolidating a place in the top six of West Gippsland netball is proving a difficult assignment for Tooradin-Dalmore after the Seagulls drew 35-35 with bottom-placed Kooweerup at Denhams Road on Saturday.
The Demons and Seagulls were locked together for large portions of the day, with scores tied at the first two breaks and once again at the end.
Kooweerup gained the three-quarter-time lead with a 10-7 third stanza, before the Seagulls returned fire in the final term.
The Seagulls began the game with a fresh-looking starting seven, with regulars Alex Maher, Stacey Sawyer, Summah Boyd and Zoe Coventry joined by Ella Cunningham, Jess Hammond and Keely Freestone.
The Demons began strongly, with Kate Sidebottom, Claise Janssen and Chelsea Gibson giving nothing away through the midcourt, while defenders Mikaela Stokkel and Pippa Cook did their best to quell the massive influence of Maher.
Draws are always a frustrating result; but there’s a silver lining for both teams.
The Seagulls are currently above the cut-off line in sixth place, while the Demons finally get to bank their first premiership points of the season.
Inverloch-Kongwak continues to roll along steadily with the champions of the last three years recording a no fuss 41-31 win over Phillip Island at Inverloch.
The Sea Eagles are still not at their sharpest as they look to build and play their best netball at the pointy end of the season.
The advantage of winning three-consecutive premierships is; you have aura…and none of the top four teams above them will be underestimating them in any way.
Two champions of the club – and the WGFNC for that matter – in Renee Pilkington (GD) and Lanni Pryor (WA) were instrumental in Saturday’s victory, which built from a four goal lead at quarter time, to 10 at the half, and 12 at the final break before the Bulldogs won the final quarter.
The Doggies showed glimpses of dashing play, but turnovers proved costly as the afternoon unfolded.
Korumburra-Bena has scored one of its most important wins for the season with the Giants riding a dominant second quarter to a 36-29 victory over Cora Lynn.
The winner of this one would claim outright second on the ladder and it was the Giants who claimed the early ascendency.
Fiona Burns (GK) and Gemma Dixon (GD) defended the circle like there was plenty on the line, allowing the Cobras just 12 goals, a 5-7 split, in the first half.
The creativity of midcourters Chelsea Fox, Ash Cuff and Felicity Fox was a real weapon for the Giants, allowing Mackenna Whiteside (GS) and Elisha Nicholas (GA) to build a 23-12 advantage at half time.
The Cobras won the second half by four; but the destination of the four premiership points had already be determined.
Annabel Sheppard, Jessie Prvulj, Lexis Schade and Brooke Abu-Jaber were consistent performers for the Cobras.
Kilcunda-Bass has bounced back to something resembling its best form with the Panthers walking away from Garfield with a much-needed 52-42 result.
Only one goal separated the teams across three quarters of netball, but a stunning 20-9 third quarter put the Panthers on the path to victory.
Tamika De Nardis (GS) and Emma Felsovary (GA) were sensational for the Panthers in the third-quarter onslaught, while Gypsi Schmidt (C) and Grace Rand (WA) provided a stack of drive through the midcourt.
This was a disappointing result for Garfield, who would have landed in sixth spot with a win.
And finally, undefeated Nar Nar Goon continues to march on impressively with a 58-36 victory over Warragul Industrials.
The Goon was always in control but couldn’t completely shake the brave Dusties until the final quarter of the match.
Leading by 11 at the final break the likes of Kyra Esler, Darcy Utber and Alex Fenton ramped things up to race away with the points.
Brooke Weatherhead, Abby Brice and Tash Green can hold their heads high for the Dusties; who made a better fist of things than what most people would have expected.
