By David Ball
Football
Yarra Glen faced second-placed Emerald at Yarra Glen in great football conditions.
Whilst Yarra Glen started well in general play they were unable to connect when going forward. At each turnover, Emerald used precise field kicking to set up a 3.6 to 1.0 lead at quarter time. Yarra Glen put the Emerald forwards under intense pressure causing a number of rushed behinds.
In the second quarter, the River Pigs continued with the pressure and improved their field kicking and piled on 5 goals to Emerald’s solitary goal to go into halftime with a 2 point lead. It was a welcome return from injury for captain Ben Ashton who was terrific in the midfield.
Emerald was stung into action, lifting their intensity and continuing with their clean ball handling and precise kicking. They outscored Yarra Glen 5 goals to 2 to take a 14 point lead into the last quarter. Yarra Glen battled hard in the early part of the quarter to keep in touch but eventually ran out of steam as Emerald kicked late goals to win 14.12 to Yarra Glen’s 9.7.
Best for Yarra Glen in a good team effort were Ben Ashton, Blake Binion, Jason Godfrey, Billy Gardner, Jimmy Marks and Jayden Schille. Goalkickers were Richard Gurney (2), James Whelan (2), Sam Horsley (2), Callum Morison and Adam Whelan.
The Reserves started strongly with Stirling Twite-Moore kicking 2 goals to have them only a point down against third-placed Emerald at quarter time. In a tough second quarter, both teams added 2 goals, with Emerald 6 points up at the main break.
Having thrown everything at it in the first half, Yarra Glen seemed to stop in the third, with Emerald playing much better football to add 3.4 whilst the River Pigs didn’t add to their score. It was a great fightback in the last for Yarra Glen to outscore Emerald with 3 goals to 1. The final score of 7.1 to 8.13 was the best result for the season.
Best for Yarra Glen were Brendan Davis, Jacob Reddaway, Craig Dodsworth, Anthony Harman, Zac and Nate Capuano. Goalkickers were Stirling Twite-Moore (2), Drew Brodie (2), Nate Capuano, Max Forbes and Brendan Davis.
Next week Yarra Glen has a short trip to take on Healesville in the local derby.
Netball
A grade was jumped early by a more aggressive and intense Emerald. Down by 11 at quarter time the girls gradually got back into the game. Peta Fay started to restrict Emerald’s great goalshooter, Kaylah Loulanting (35 goals) as Yarra Glen started to control more of the game. The poor start was a bit too much as the girls went down by just 3 goals, to lose 41-44. Best were Steph Gibbs (25 goals), Pete Fay and Jackie Hibberd.
In B Grade it was a battle for 4 th spot, with Yarra Glen finishing with a thrilling 1 goal victory. Down by 3 goals at halftime, Yarra Glen kept the pressure on to overhaul Emerald to be in front at the final siren. Best was Gemma Ryan, Tammie Milbourn end Ellen Brown (25 goals)
C Grade fronted up against a stronger and more aggressive opponent. A nasty head injury to Jacinda Fraser caused a major time delay. It was distressing for the Yarra girls and they ended up losing 37- 56 despite a great effort. Best for Yarra Glen were Michele Young, Kali Fraser and Jasmin Wood
D Grade fought hard to be just 2 goals down at three-quarter time. Emerald proved too strong in the last with Yarra Glen eventually going down 27-35. Best were Sarah Orlandi (21 goals), Kim Christian and Ellie Symes.
