By Josh Ward.
Another weekend of the 2023 Bendigo Bank Netball Season is run and done. Take a look at last weekend’s results ahead of another week of massive clashes on the court tonight for Round Nine.
Division One
FTG Eagles Blue 44 lost to Lilydale Falcons 48
Vermont Eagles Gold 64 def Coldstream Grey 36
Croydon 55 def East Burwood Rams 40
East Burwood Black 46 drew with East Ringwood Black 46
It was a top-of-the-table clash as well as a second Grand Final rematch that lived up to the hype between East Burwood Black and East Ringwood Black.
With the reigning premiers holding a five goal advantage at the final break East Burwood mounted a big final quarter comeback to end the game all square with their rivals in East Ringwood.
The result saw Croydon jump into first place on the Division One table after they won by 15 goals over the East Burwood Rams.
Elsewhere Lilydale were able to hang on for their second victory of 2023 over Ferntree Gully following a 30 goal to 19 first half.
Vermont Gold were also able to defeat Coldstream Grey by the biggest margin in Division One on the night to push only half a game behind the Cougars on the table.
Division Two
East Ringwood Blue 30 lost to Blackburn Black 32
Vermont Eagles Yellow 25 lost to Oakleigh District White 52
Croydon North MLOC 32 lost to Heathmont Jets 48
Coldstream Black 41 def Bayswater Gold 34
Kilsyth Cougars 21 lost to Knox Falcons 36
Blackburn Black were able to hang on against third placed East Ringwood Blue to move close to them on the table as well as keep up the pace with Knox Falcons. An 11 goal to three third quarter paved the way for Blackburn, being able to hang on despite a late push from East Ringwood.
Coldstream Black continued its unbeaten start to 2023, with their 12 goal to six third quarter seeing them run out seven goal winners over Bayswater Gold.
Oakleigh District White were the biggest winners on the night with a 27 goal win over Vermont Yellow whilst the Heathmont Jets won their second game of 2023 in a big way over Croydon North MLOC.
Division Three
Boronia Gold 28 lost to The Basin Cubs 32
Montrose Demons 33 def Heathmont Yellow 21
The Basin Kodiaks 47 def Chirnside Park Panthers Yellow 35
East Burwood Grey 16 lost to Nunawading Lions Gold 41
Vermont Eagles White 33 lost to Lilydale Gold 35
Heathmont White 43 def Vermont Eagles Violet 18
The Basin Cubs were able to keep their undefeated streak alive following a tight victory over third placed rivals Boronia at Oxley College. Trailing by just one goal heading into the final break, The Basin were able to score eight goals whilst only conceding three to run out four-goal winners.
Across the division Lilydale Gold were the other side that held on in a close game by two despite a strong Vermont White comeback at HE Parker. Heathmont White’s unbeaten start also continued with a commanding 25 goal win over bottom-placed Vermont Violet.
Division Four
Silvan Cats 28 lost to East Ringwood Teal 35
UFTG Red 26 drew with Montrose Flames 26
Kilsyth Cougars Red 39 def FTG Eagles White 31
Vermont Eagles Purple 36 lost to Kilsyth Cougars Black 37
Oakleigh District Black 29 def Park Orchards Black 26
Upper Ferntree Gully Red and Montrose Flames played out a tense draw out at HE Parker. With Montrose leading at each break whilst Upper Gully clawed into the margin at each break they were able to make it an even ledger when the final whistle rang.
In other big results Kilsyth Black picked up a massive upset win over Vermont Purple, with Kilsyth able to hold on despite a Vermont comeback in the final quarter by one goal. East Ringwood Teal were also able to win their first game of 2023 over the Silvan Cats.
Division Five
East Burwood Silver 14 lost to Park Orchards Red 51
Whitehorse Pioneers 17 lost to Silvan Cats Blue 48
South Croydon Blue 18 lost to Vermont Eagles Lilac 41
Chirnside Park Panthers Grey 23 lost to Coldstream White 34
Balwyn Tigers 26 lost to Boronia Hawks 30
Boronia Hawks were able to get on top of previous ladder leaders Balwyn Tigers at HE Parker.
Down by eight goals heading into the main break the Hawks strung together a strong second half, scoring 21 goals whilst only conceding nine to finish on top of the Tigers.
The loss sees Balwyn drop down to third after big victories for the Silvan Cats Blue and Vermont Eagles Lilac over South Croydon Blue and the Whitehorse Pioneers respectively.
Division Six
Vermont Eagles Black 26 lost to Chirnside Park Panthers 41
UFTG Blue 41 def Park Orchards White 22
GWH Yellow 28 def Lilydale Blue 19
Knox Black 22 lost to East Ringwood White 42
Bayswater Black 35 def Ringwood White 33
Bayswater Black were able to hang on against Ringwood White in the closest Division Six game last Friday.
With Bayswater holding a 10 goal lead at Half Time and seven goal advantage at the final break Ringwood mounted a massive final quarter but just fell short by two goals.
Division Seven
Montrose Thunder 34 def Kilsyth Cougars White 17
Waverley Blues Red 40 def Norwood Purple 21
FTG Eagles Yellow 24 lost to Coldstream Blue 41
Ringwood Black 22 lost to Heathmont Blue 23
Montrose Devils 21 lost to Oakleigh District Grey 28
Ringwood Black and Heathmont Blue played out in a classic at Oxley College.
Following a 17 goal to nine first half in favour of Heathmont they were able to hang on by a goal despite Ringwood coming home with plenty of momentum by their side.
Elsewhere Montrose Thunder and Waverley Blues Red continued their unbeaten starts with big wins over Kilsyth Cougars White and Norwood Purple respectively.
Division Eight
Waverley Blues Blue 31 def Ringwood Red 16
Croydon North MLOC Blue 24 lost to Norwood Black 30
Nunawading Lions Black 30 def Montrose Storm 21
South Belgrave Saints 33 def The Basin Grizzlies 25
The Basin Grizzlies undefeated start to the 2023 season has come to an end, going down to second placed South Belgrave Saints by eight goals.
The Saints started off strongly with a 19 goal to nine first half and we’re able to hang on from there despite a strong second half from the Grizzlies.
Division Nine
Bayswater Green 13 lost to East Burwood White 25
Chirnside Park Panthers Black 36 def Montrose Raptors 18
Montrose Heat 28 def Coldstream Green 21
Norwood Gold 43 def Nunawading Lions Maroon 11