By David Ball
Yarra Glen travelled to Powelltown where conditions were fine but after some light rain earlier in the day saw the ground a little slippery.
The River Pigs started with the first goal but spent the rest of the quarter watching Ben Wratten tapping or handballing to James Ashby at each centre bounce.
The resultant multiple forward entries saw Powelltown jump out to a four goal lead at quarter time.
Yarra Glen started the second quarter with a greater effort made to switch play and create some run from defence but despite this, and having most of the play, they only outscored the Demons by a point.
The third quarter saw the River Pigs lift, with Noah and Nathan Battle creating on the wings and Josh Hawkins kicking some goals up forward, they reduced the margin to 16 points at three quarter time.
When Yarra Glen kicked the first goal of the last quarter the momentum shift that started in the third looked like continuing.
With a quick centre clearance setting up a straight forward set shot, the River Pigs had the chance to get within four points of Powelltown early in the last.
Sadly, this and a few other easy shots goal were missed.
Powelltown steadied with their dominant forward Jacob Neale converting late in the quarter to take his tally to eight, Powelltown proved too good.
Final scores Yarra Glen 10.12 to Powelltown 13.13.
Best for Yarra Glen were, Noah Battle, Nathan Battle, Caleb Surplice, Josh Hawkins, Nate Capuano and Ky Hawkins. Goalkickers, Josh Hawkins three, Caleb Surplice two, Nathan Battle two, Heath Chamberlain, Kayne Henman and Jim Marks.
The Yarra Glen reserves had the chance to move off the bottom of the ladder if they could get a win against Powelltown.
They started the game strongly with Seth McConnell, Anthony Delaney and Taylor Bryans dominating through the middle.
With most of the play in Yarra’s forward line, only errant kicking kept the margin to 10 points at quarter time.
The second quarter saw a great, even team effort as the River Pigs started moving the ball cleanly and with Ethan Murdock capitalising up forward they stretched the lead to 22 points at half time.
After an even third quarter that saw both sides add a goal each, Yarra Glen were well placed with a 23 point advantage at the last break.
The last quarter proved to be Yarra Glen’s best as they added three more goals to run out convincing winners, 11.11 to 6.5.
Best for Yarra Glen were Seth McConnell, Anthony Delaney, Taylor Bryans, Ethan Murdock, Brad McKenzie and Lachlan Crawford. Goalkickers, Ethan Murdock four, Taylor Bryans two, Luke Harris two, Keithy Gerovasilis, Dylan Harding and Drew Brodie.
Yarra Glen B grade netball took on Powelltown as they looked to tune up for finals.
They started well and led 18 to 7 at quarter time.
Powelltown improved their connection in the second but great defending from Ellie Estcourt helped Yarra to extend their lead to 15 goals at half time.
The Yarra girls continued to control the game through the second half and after a 19 to four last quarter, they ran out convincing winners, 65 to 29.
Best players were Ellen Brown, Kayla Collins and Ellie Estcourt.
Yarra Glen’s C Grade team came out firing early in their game against Powelltown.
Great defensive pressure caused many turnovers and at quarter time the game was all over as the Yarra girls went into the first break leading 17 to 0.
At half time, they led 31 to two and then put in a great third to add 19 goals to nil.
Sarah Orlandi continued to convert everything as Yarra Glen went on to score an easy 67 to five victory.
Best players were Natasha Bennett, Courtney Cochrane and Sara Orlandi (56 goals)
With Yarra Glen’s D Grade locked in for finals, they took on last placed Powelltown under grey skies and on a wet court.
Unfazed by the conditions Yarra Glen took an early 14 to one lead into the first break.
The Demons struggled for the remainder of the game and failed to add to their score.
It was great to see Yarra’s young goaler, Ruby Bennett converting in the ring as Yarra’s experienced players kept the pressure on their opponents to see them run out with an easy 45 to one victory.
Best players for Yarra Glen were Jacinda Marlow, Ruby Bennett (13 goals) and Kim Christian.
With A Grade having a bye, all four Yarra Glen’s netball teams making it into finals.
Venues not yet confirmed.
