By David Ball
Yarra Glen’s day started in warm conditions at home with the Under 18’s taking on Yea.
After an even first quarter where each team kicked two goals, the River Pig boys banged on five goals to four points in the second to be leading by a comfortable 31 points at half time.
In the third quarter, Yea started running harder and the Yarra boys lost cohesion as they watched Yea kick an impressive six goals to reduce the margin to just three points.
The last quarter was a real battle and when Yea hit the front, it looked like Yarra Glen were going to be overrun.
In a massive and desperate team effort, Yarra kicked two late goals to snatch victory by eight points, 11.11 to 10.9.
Best players were Callum Sanders, John Pavic, Kobey Jarvis, Alastair Lowrie, Alex Toscano and Garry Schipper.
Goalkickers, Callum Sanders 7, Alex Toscano 2, Garry Schipper 2 and 1 each to Bradyn Stewart, Spencer Boers and Hunter Grenfell.
The Yarra Glen Reserves faced a strong Belgrave team in warm to hot conditions.
Belgrave got on top early to be 16 points up at quarter time.
Belgrave dominated the second to kick seven goals.
When Yarra Glen did get the ball forward, they were unable to convert.
This continued fin the second half and despite great effort, the River Pigs were unable to stop the flow of goals and went down 1.8 to 21.15.
Nathan Harding slotted through Yarra Glen’s only goal.
Best players were, Max Murphy, Dylan Jarvis, Josh Dick, Mason Smith, Ryan Strong and Taylor Bryans.
The Yarra Glen seniors got off to a horrible start as Belgrave had 4.2 on the board in the first 10 minutes before Yarra Glen could score.
Incredibly, the River Pigs were able to stop Belgrave’s momentum to take control and kick five unanswered goals to lead 5.2 to 4.2 at quarter time.
With Yarra Glen’s midfield getting on top and Josh Hawkins causing havoc up forward, Yarra Glen stretched the lead to 16 points at half time.
In the third quarter, Belgrave shut down Yarra’s midfield and their increased pressure meant Yarra’s forward entries were rushed.
This allowed the Belgrave defenders to effect many intercept marks.
Belgrave were running harder and slammed on seven goals for the term to take an 11 point lead going into the last break.
Both sides lifted their intensity in the last quarter with Belgrave hanging on to their lead for the first half of the quarter.
Despite the hot conditions, Yarra Glen found some run and with some late goals they were able to come out on top, 15.10 to 13.12.
Goalkickers – Josh Hawkins 7, Jae McDonald, Aussie Smith and Ben Ashton 2 each, with singles to Ryan Smith and Caleb Surplice.
Best Players – Josh Hawkins, Aussie Smith, Ben Ashton, Jayden Capuano, Caleb Surplice and Ryan Smith.
The day of football finished with Yarra Glen’s new Vets team taking on Belgrave.
In a very competitive game with both sides fielding some club legends, Belgrave were able to convert better to be leading 6.2 to 4.3 at half time.
As Yarra Glen kicked the only goal for the third there was only one goal the difference at half time.
As the heat and aging legs started to take their toll on Yarra Glen, Belgrave were able to control the last quarter to add two goals to see Yarra Glen go down 5.5 to 8.7.
Best players Anthony Coppin, Brendan James, Peter Moate, Chris Capuano and Tom Matthews.
Goalkickers, Anthony Coppin 2, Brendan James 2 and Peter Moate 1.
In A grade netball, Yarra Glen took on Belgrave and got off to a good start to be 16 to 6 up at quarter time.
In a very even performance across the second and third quarters the Yarra girls stretched the lead to 30 at the last break.
With the hot conditions and the game secure the intensity dropped off with teams going goal for goal in the last.
Yarra Glen winning 72 to 43. Best players were Jasmine Evans, Maddie Hargrave (42 goals) and Jessie Milne.
Playing against Belgrave, Yarra Glen’s B Grade were able to retain possession better and gradually increase their lead in each of the first three quarters to take a 10 goal lead into three quarter time.
The last quarter was a goal for goal battle, with both sides converting well.
The final result was a nine goal win for Yarra Glen, 51 to 42.
Best players were Tiah Large, Georgia Crugnale (37 goals) and Serena Gibbs.
As with all the Yarra Netball teams, C Grade faced Belgrave and in a high intensity first quarter Yarra Glen held a one goal lead.
As the game went goal for goal through the second quarter the Yarra girls were just two goals up at half time.
In a big third quarter, great pressure from the defenders caused Belgrave to falter as Yarra Glen took a nine goal lead into the last.
Belgrave battled hard but Yarra Glen held on to win by six goals, 34 to 28.
Best players were Ashley Shanks, Annie Dietrich and Abbey Page.
Yarra Glen’s D Grade took an early lead only to see Belgrave level the scores by half time.
In a great third quarter of netball both sides moved the ball well and converted to set up a tense last quarter, with Yarra Glen just onoe goal up at three quarter time.
In a great finish, Yarra Glen were able to hold on for a well earned 23 to 20 victory.
Best players were Livy Dove, Ashleigh Wallace and Annabelle Forsyth.
After the Easter break all teams except the Vets, who have a bye, head up to Yea.
