By Wil Spence
We saw a draw that has shocked the competition, some upsets; some powerhouse teams assert the dominance at the top and plenty of close encounters. Get the popcorn out because you won’t want to miss the Bendigo Bank Women’s Netball Competition review for Round 13.
Section 1
East Burwood Black 57 drew East Ringwood Black 57
The team that seemed unbeatable is still undefeated but in eerie scenes have a draw next to their name after an impressive late resurgence from East Ringwood Black. In a match that had many twists and turns the favourites had a three-goal lead at quarter time. But it was East Ringwood Blue who shifted the momentum at half-time taking a one goal lead into the main break. However, an avalanche of goals from East Burwood Black in the third quarter gave themselves a 10-goal lead into the final quarter. But a 19-goal final quarter from East Ringwood Black was enough to salvage a draw with both sides able to win in the dying stages. In a fitting result, the points had to be split. Belinda Williams from East Burwood Black scored 30 goals and Molly Heymanson amassed 31 goals of her own for East Ringwood Black in a high scoring affair from both sides.
Knox 50 def Lilydale 47
Croydon 52 def East Burwood Rams 50
Heathmont 43 def Ferntree Gully 33
Section 2
Oakleigh Districts 19 def by Coldstream 36
Coldstream continued their dominant season defeating Oakleigh Districts in convincing fashion. They’re the team to beat at this stage and might take some beating. Coldstream’s paring of Tarsha Collette and Lara Wandin-Collins are very exciting and scored 19 and 17 goals respectively against Oakleigh Districts.
Warrandyte def by Croydon North MLOC
Kilsyth 18 def by Vermont 35
Scoresby 35 def The Basin 24
Section 3
The Basin 36 def Lilydale 20
A top of the table clash which had section three buzzing probably didn’t live up to the hype. The Basin were dominant stamping their claims as the team to beat this season. Leading at every change with each quarter more impressive by the second. Jaymee Tough and Hayley Gstrein were too strong for their opponents with 22 and 14 goals each.
East Burwood 16 def by East Ringwood 44
Vermont 32 def Montrose 23
Kilsyth 26 def by Mulgrave 37
Glen Waverley 45 def Whitehorse 37
Section 4
Park Orchards 25 def by Heathmont 28
In what shaped as a close and fierce match lived up to the expectation of two finals contenders with Park Orchards the favourites. A slow start for the Sharks in the first quarter didn’t help their case, but they turned the tide and had a one goal lead heading into the final quarter. Heathmont held their nerve in the final quarter outscoring the Sharks eight to four. A trio of goal scorers for the Jets were vital with Alexandra Pattison, Jessica Hall and Kaitlin O’Connor scoring 11, 10 and seven respectively.
Montrose 39 def Ferntree Gully 21
Boronia 35 def Mulgrave 17
Glen Waverley 24 def by Silvan 35
Nunawading 36 def East Burwood 29
Section 5
Upper Ferntree Gully Blue 26 def Knox Black 25
In what could’ve been one of the major shocks of the season for section five the lowly ranked Knox almost pulled of a miracle knocking off finals contender Upper Ferntree Gully Blue who have only lost three games all season. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be, and the experience and calmness of Upper Ferntree Gully Blue proved to strong. Felicity Bathgate was valuable in front of goal scoring 15 goals for the victors. A loss could’ve made things interesting in the finals race.
Ringwood 16 def by Upper Ferntree Gully Red 23
Chirnside Park 28 def Coldstream Red 23
Scoresby 17 def by Balwyn 59
Vermont 50 def Coldstream Black 17
Section 6
Montrose 28 def by Coldstream 43
Coldstream kept things rolling against Montrose to sit second on the ladder and send a message to the competition they’re the real deal. After a fast start in the first quarter, a comeback for Montrose was a bridge too far. Sarah Billingham and Emma-Lee Jakobs were dangerous in front of attack for Coldstream with 26 and 17 goals respectively.
Ringwood 15 def Kilsyth
Boronia 15 def Heathmont
South Croydon def by Mitcham
Glen Waverley 30 Def East Burwood 19
Section 7
Waverley Blues 33 def Montrose Storm 15
Heading in, this match-up was well set out for a close encounter with two of the contending teams playing each other. However, it was all Waverley Blues leading at every change putting on a dominant display to sit outright second on the ladder. Jamie Blewett and Gabriella Hatch were instrumental with 17 and 16 goals each.
Montrose Thunder 16 def by Coldstream 28
Heathmont 34 def Kilsyth 21
Nunawading 10 def by South Belgrave 19
Section 8
Scoresby Magpies 30 def East Burwood 21
In a must win game for either side, East Burwood had a great opportunity to find themselves two games clear of Scoresby, but now sit a position lower than them on the ladder based off percentage. After the first quarter Scoresby had control of the match with Tegan Ryan and Jordyn Walker scoring 14 and 13 goals respectively.
Ferntree Gully 25 def by Mulgrave 36
Waverley Blues 18 def by The Basin 38
Montrose Heat Bye