By David Ball
All four Yarra Glen netball teams played in the Preliminary final at Broadford on Saturday.
The day started with D Grade taking on Powelltown.
The first half was a super competitive contest with just one goal separating the teams at half time, Powelltown leading 12 goals to Yarra Glen’s 11.
The third quarter saw the Demons assert themselves and with their lift in intensity, the Yarra girls staring missing their passes and shots at goal.
Powelltown added another 12 goals whilst Yarra Glen could only manage 4.
In a relatively even last quarter Yarra Glen worked hard but couldn’t close the gap as Powelltown won the day, 31 to 20.
Best players were Sarah Matthew, Molly Kehoe and Kim Christian.
Yarra Glen B Grade played Broadford and got off to a great start to be leading 14 to 10 at quarter time.
Georgia Crundale was very active as goalshooter, with Casey Wandin Collins providing great support. The second quarter saw Broadford lift and the double teaming of Georgia Crundale reduced her effectiveness.
Broadford had taken a 2 goal lead by half time and extended their lead to by 7 early in the third. Some positional changes and the introduction of Alex Bray as goal attack seemed to lift he Yarra girls as they powered to a 36 to 31 lead at the last break.
Yarra Glen maintained their lead for the first half of the last quarter but when Powelltown increased their pressure, the Yarra girls faltered, missing passes and shots at goal.
In a thrilling finish Broadford managed to hold onto a 2 goal margin to win 45 to 43.
Best players were Casey Wandin Collins, Georgia Crundale and Meaghan Carter.
Yarra Glen A Grade were also playing Broadford.
They started poorly, turning the ball over and struggling to put pressure on the Broadford shooters. Broadford scored 5 goals before Yarra Glen got their first and at quarter time Broadford led 20 to 11. In a great second quarter Yarra Glen reduced the margin to just 1 goal at half time having added 17 goals to Broadford’s 9.
Alana McCurgan was dominating in the centre as Brooke McCurgan was great in defence.
In a tight third quarter Yarra Glen were able to take a 1 goal lead into the last quarter.
The Yarra girls played excellent netball in the last against a quality opponent and in outscoring Broadford by 4, their 5 goal victory sees them moving into next week’s Grand Final.
Final score Yarra Glen 56 to Broadford 51.
Best players were Alana McGurgan, Maddy Hargrave and Gemma Ryan.
Yarra Glen Netball C grade played in the last game of the day, very keen to make amends for a disappointing semi-final performance.
Up against Powelltown they started well to be 12 to 6 up at quarter time.
Ash Shanks was lively in the centre and the goal shooters in Lauren Bull and Sarah Orlandi were converting well.
Powelltown started to improve and in a tight second quarter it was a goal for goal affair with Yarra Glen managing to extend their lead by just the 1 goal.
In the third quarter Yarra Glen showed why they finished on top to be 10 goals up at the last break.
Once again Powelltown matched it goal for goal with Yarra Glen but the Yarra girls proved to be too good, running out winners, 37 to 26.
Best players were Ash Shanks, Lauren Bull and Michele Young.
Yarra Glen A and C grade teams will take on Warburton-Millgove in Grand Finals to be played at Yarra Glen on Saturday
