By: Joseph Arthur
Bendigo Bank proudly presents the Round 13 Netball EFL Wrap…
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Premier Division
It was third versus fourth on the Premier Division ladder as Lilydale Falcons took on Heathmont Jets. With the two sides separated by no more than one goal at the first three breaks, the match looked set to go down to the wire. A strong final term from Goulding (26) wasn’t enough for the Jets as the Falcons were too strong and ran away three-goal victors. Smith and Murphy shared the scoring load for Lilydale with 12 goals each.
Bottom of the table Blackburn Red remained winless on the season after going down 42 – 33 against second-placed East Burwood Black. East Burwood started off strong, holding an eight-goal lead after the first term and Blackburn could never quite get back into the game. M. Williams had 14 goals and Mulqueen scored 13 for East Burwood whilst Domingo had 19 for Blackburn.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 1
Knox continued its dominance over the competition, defeating fifth-placed Ferntree Gully by 12 goals. Carr was unstoppable, scoring a massive 34 goals for the victors, outscoring her opponent’s 27 goals on her own. Morgan had 20 for Ferntree Gully and a win next week for Gully is crucial if they are to play finals, currently sitting two points behind Coldstream.
Kilsyth annihilated the lowly Park Orchards White 61 – 15 in a match that was one-sided from the first whistle. Hansen scored 28 for Kilsyth and Ryan had 10 to top score for Park Orchards. The Cougars are one step closer to securing a top-two finish and Park Orchards remain stuck on only one win on the year as the season begins to wind down.
In what was the closest match of the round for Division 1, Scoresby Swoopers defeated Coldstream Grey 36 – 33, placing Scoresby one game ahead of Coldstream for third place on the ladder. With only one round to go, these two sides will likely meet following round 14 in the first final. Williams was dominant for the Swoopers with 29 and Collette was Coldstream’s most threatening with 16 goals of her own.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 2
Norwood Purple put up a solid fight against Lilydale Gold, but Lilydale were too strong in the end, securing a 9-goal victory (35 – 26). The win brought Lilydale one step closer to securing fifth position on the ladder, whilst Norwood remain second-last with only two wins for the year.
Mulgrave Red overcame a minor scare against Park Orchards Red, staving off a late comeback from Park Orchards to win 27 – 20. Mulgrave sit third on the ladder but need to win next week in order to avoid dropping to fourth behind North Ringwood White who have Mulgrave covered on percentage. Hoskin had a big day with all 27 goals for Mulgrave and Buckland was Park Orchards best on offense with eight.
In the second last round of the season, Ferntree Gully Yellow secured its first win of the season against Knox Black in style. Gully was the better side and won in convincing fashion, 41 – 30 behind an impressive second half from Pearson who had a big day (24). Harfield’s 22 wasn’t enough in what was a disappointing effort from Knox.
In what was another upset across the division, Blackburn Red defeated The Basin Red 37 – 32 in the closest game of the round for Division 2. Kendrick was pivotal with 27 goals and was supported by 10 goals from Fan. After a strong first term from the Basin – holding a five-goal lead at the first break – it was all Blackburn for the reminder of the night, completely taking over the game.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 3
In a ripping game, East Burwood Grey defeated South Croydon White by only two goals. It was a nail-biting contest where East Burwood only just held on, staving off a late charge from South Croydon. Hanmond scored 20 for East Burwood but South Croydon’s Brown led all scorers with 21.
Last placed Whitehorse White was dismantled by mid-table Forest Hill White by 38 goals! Lythgo was the difference with 35 goals, supported by 15 from Carroll, whereas Whitehorse’s top scorer, Brooks, only managed six.
In another blow-out, top of the table Croydon North MLOC smashed Chirnside Panthers, holding the Panthers to only 11 goals for the match. For Croydon, Saunders had 37 of her team’s 48 and Cornish only managed seven for Chirnside. Croydon is in control of its own destiny as a win next week means a top spot finish on the season and will lock it in as favourites to win the flag.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 4
Heathmont Blue did just enough to hold on against a plucky Lilydale Blue, winning the back and forth contest 31 – 29. Barr was Heathmont’s best around goal with 18 and Toomer also had 18 for Lilydale as the two stars went head to head at ether ends of the court. Heathmont will be looking to continue its form next week and end the season on a high.
Scoresby Soarers pulled off the upset of the round against second placed Upper Ferntree Gully Red, defeating Gully by one solitary goal. Hastings had 21 for Scoresby in one of her best games of the season. Taking nothing away from the Soarers great effort, Gully will be disappointed with their efforts and now must win next week in order to hold onto second place.
Park Orchards Black won the second one-point game of the round against The Basin Green. Hume scored 18 for Park Orchards and Walsham had 18 of her own for The Basin. Around the grounds Montrose Flames defeated Boronia Brown 28 – 18 and Norwood Gold were too good for Knox Red 48 – 15.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 5
Fourth-placed Glen Waverley White defeated second-placed Ringwood Black 30 – 24. Another win next week will secure fourth-spot for Glen Waverley while Ringwood now need to win next week or risk losing second place to Coldstream Blue. Davey scored 27 for Glen Waverley and Jordanov had 14 for Ringwood.
South Belgrave Black helped its finals chances with a win against Forest Hill Zebras by 7 goals. Forest Hill’s Lee led all scorers with 19 goals but it wasn’t enough. South Belgrave shared its scoring load between Brown (13) and Withers (10).
Wantirna South Green narrowly missed out on an upset victory against South Croydon Blue. South Croydon escaped with a four-goal win after holding on to a two-goal lead for the majority of the match. Dobinson led all scorers with 14 for South Croydon.
First-placed Nunawading Lions narrowly held on against fifth-placed Mitcham Black 21 -17. Mitcham defended the premiership favourites brilliantly but Nunawading showed its class by shutting down Mitcham’s scoring, holding gun Mitcham forward Repalust to only eight goals.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 6
South Belgrave Red remained undefeated and are now only one win away from pulling off the perfect regular season, with a chance to finish 14 – 0. South Belgrave was all class against Montrose Devils and left with an easy victory, 32 – 19.
Knox White bested Wantirna South White 34 – 25 and Sutherland had a day-out for the victors, scoring 22. Hall and Lecompte did their best for Wantirna South scoring 14 and eight respectively and fought valiantly in the loss.
In a battle for third spot Glen Waverley Hawks Yellow was victorious over Coldstream Black and all but secured a top three finish. Jefferis had 25, outscoring Coldstream’s 22 goals on her own, final score was 31 – 22.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 7
Lilydale Yellow came out on top in a clash between top and bottom of the ladder, the result was as all expected with Lilydale winning over Coldstream Red 23 – 14.
Glen Waverley avoided an upset against Ferntree Gully White, winning against second last by only four goals. Walker had 15 for the victors. Meanwhile, Norwood White defeated The Basin Bears with ease 39 – 26 behind 22 goals from Conway.