By Will Taylor
NetballEFL is starting to heat up as we approach the half way stage of the season, The ladder leaders and taking control of the competition and putting the question out, can anyone catch Boronia Gold and Croydon?
Wantirna South came into the game against ladder leaders Croydon with everything to play for including their position in the top six. The Devils came out all guns blazing and shocked the Blues into action early and took a handy two goal lead into the first change. Croydon made adjustments and started to pile on the goals, giving The Devils headaches across the court; The Blues took a four goal lead at the major break. The struggle continued between both teams for the whole of the second half as neither team was giving much ground, in the end it was the class of Croydon that got them over the line, continuing their unbeaten run.
In the other early game it was The Roo’s the skipped away to a somewhat comfortable win in the end, East Ringwood’s Jess Cerni and Serrin Phyland admitting “it was a very difficult and tough game” as Roos fought hard to keep Norwood at bay during the middle stage of the first quarter. East Ringwood, lacking in numbers were provided with yet another challenge with no substitutions making the 38 goal victory even sweeter.
Blackburn came into their game against Coldstream White needing a win to keep their hopes of the finals alive. They started the game well but let the Cougars back into the contest and thus only led by seven goals at the first change. The game became more of a mental contest as both teams struggled to take control, although the burners were able to hold their nerve and hold onto their lead to run out comfortable winners in the end.
Mitcham came out against Boronia Brown with a point to prove, The tigers form has been up and down during the 2014 season and Mitcham found themselves needing to win to take a strangle hold on third position. The Tigers took a 16 goal lead early and managed to extend at every change on their way to a big 53 point victory.
Boronia Gold came out like a house on fire as they started to pick out every single part of Coldstream Blue plan and the skills and athleticism were amazing as they were too powerful for Coldstream Blue who couldn’t find any answers to the Hawks attack. Boronia Gold recorded the highest score in NetballEFL history with a grand total of 114 as they defeated Coldstream Blue by 106.
In the final game, Ringwood started slow against a Mooroolbark outfit that came ready to play, fresh from a week off. The Gems (Mooroolbark) took control early and at one point looked like they were going to power their way to an unlikely victory. Ringwood, under pressure, made some crucial changes which included Anna Ogdew into WA, moving Cassie Grigg from WA to WD, Zoe Price from WD to GK and swapping the goal scoring combination around to close the gap with a huge run in the last quarter. They quickly reeled in the deficit managing 21 goals to fifteen in the final term to snatch victory.