By Christopher Kourtis.
One week away from finals for Divisions Five to Nine and the stakes are higher than ever in this Bendigo Bank Netball season. There were massive games across all divisions, so take a look at how each team went in Round 15.
Division One
Croydon (71) def. East Burwood Rams (39)
East Burwood Black (60) tied with East Ringwood Black (60)
Vermont Eagles Gold (32) def. Coldstream Grey (0) – forfeit
Lilydale Falcons (44) lost to FTG Eagles Blue (45)
There was something for just about everyone in Division 1.
Croydon will spend another week on top of the table after beating the fifth place East Burwood Rams. The Croydon attack dominated once again, with Ellarnah Hanlen outscoring the visitors herself with 40 points.
Just below them in the table, East Burwood Black and East Ringwood Black played out a back and forth encounter that was a spectacle to watch. Barely anything has been able to separate the two sides this season, sharing the exact same record. This was the case again, as a 60-60 final score meant that the points were shared.
Elsewhere in the league, last placed Lilydale found themselves up four points at three quarter time but fell agonisingly short. The Falcons lost by a single goal to FTG Eagles Blue in a game that followed the story of their season.
In other news, Vermont Eagles Gold were credited a win as Coldstream Grey forfeited the match.
Division Two
Kilsyth Cougars (24) lost to Vermont Eagles Yellow (26)
Blackburn Black (29) lost to Coldstream Black (41)
Oakleigh District White (47) def. Heathmont Jets (38)
Croydon North MLOC (37) def. Knox Falcons (36)
Bayswater Gold (28) tied with East Ringwood Blue (28)
The Top 2 teams in Division 2 continued their title charges, as just two points separate first from second. Coldstream Black beat mid-table Blackburn Black in a game where Jessica Ford scored 37 of her team’s 41 points. Second place Oakleigh District White picked up another win, despite being tied with Heathmont at three quarter time.
Sitting next to each other on the ladder, Croydon North MLOC managed to edge past Knox Falcons in a nailbiter. The one point victory means that Croydon are now just two points behind Knox, who are in fourth.
Bayswater provided the upset of the round in a draw against East Ringwood Blue, who currently sit seven places above them in third.
Meanwhile, Vermont Eagles Yellow had just enough in the tank to beat the Kilsyth Cougars, winning by two points.
Division Three
Heathmont Yellow (25) lost to Vermont Eagles White (33)
Heathmont White (35) lost to Lilydale Gold (41)
Nunawading Lions Gold (29) lost to Boronia Gold (39)
Chirnside Park Panthers Yellow (24) lost to Vermont Eagles Violet (29)
Montrose Demons (17) lost to The Basin Cubs (41)
The Basin Kodiaks (26) lost to East Burwood Grey (27)
Round 15 produced a couple of shock results in Division Three. Heathmont White were handed their first loss of the season by second place Lilydale Gold. While it looks unlikely that Heathmont White will be bumped off the top spot, the match was a thrilling trailer of what might happen in the finals.
Vermont Eagles Violet picked up just their second win of the season, beating Chirnside Park Panthers Yellow by five points. The result means that only percentage separates the two teams at the bottom of the ladder.
In what was a more routine win, The Basin Cubs closed the gap between themselves and second place to just two points, beating the Montrose Demons.
East Burwood Grey were one goal too good for The Basin Kodiaks, overtaking them on the ladder to claim eighth place with a game in hand.
Division Four
East Ringwood Teal (24) lost to Oakleigh District Black (52)
Vermont Eagles Purple (31) def. Park Orchards Black (30)
Kilsyth Cougars Red (29) def. FTG Eagles White (0) – forfeit
Silvan Cats (14) lost to Kilsyth Cougars Black (43)
Montrose Flames (39) def. UFTG Red (32)
All of the matches in Division Four were won by the favourites.
Vermont Eagles Purple will remain in first place after a one point win over Park Orchards Black. Oakleigh District Black are just four points and 0.96% off them with a game in hand, however, making the run home very interesting.
Elsewhere, FTG Eagles White forfeited their match against Kilsyth Cougars Red.
Division Five
South Croydon Blue (26) lost to Park Orchards Red (36)
Vermont Eagles Lilac (36) def. Boronia Hawks (25)
Silvan Cats Blue (41) def. Whitehorse Pioneers (10)
Chirnside Park Panthers Grey (20) lost to Balwyn Tigers (37)
Coldstream White (43) def. East Burwood Silver (20)
Round 15 went as expected in Division Five, with most of the favourites finishing with wins.
Silvan Cats Blue boasted the biggest winning margin of the round (31 points).
Division Six
GWH Yellow (25) def. Knox Black (9)
East Ringwood White (44) def. Waverley Blues White (32)
Ringwood White (16) lost to Park Orchards White (25)
Bayswater Black (26) lost to Vermont Eagles Black (28)
Chirnside Park Panthers (44) def. Lilydale Blue (16)
It was standard proceedings in Division Six as well.
Vermont Eagles Black played out a close battle with Bayswater Black, winning by two points.
Meanwhile, UFTG Blue had a bye.
Division Seven
Kilsyth Cougars White (24) lost to Coldstream Blue (27)
Norwood Purple (51) def. Ringwood Black (24)
Montrose Devils (28) lost to FTG Eagles Yellow (39)
Waverley Blues Red (41) def. Heathmont Blue (17)
Montrose Thunder (30) def. Oakleigh District Grey (24)
Division Eight
Montrose Storm (28) def. Nunawading Lions Black (19)
Waverley Blues Blue (24) def. Ringwood Red (21)
South Belgrave Saints (32) def. The Basin Grizzlies (20)
Norwood Black (42) def. Croydon North MLOC Blue (22)
Division Nine
Nunawading Lions Maroon (16) lost to Norwood Gold (27)
Chirnside Park Panthers Black (23) lost to Montrose Raptors (33)
Coldstream Green (28) lost to Montrose Heat (33)
East Burwood White (27) lost to Bayswater Green (42)