Yarra Glen travelled to Belgrave in a must win for the senior footy team.
With the teams locked in a battle for fourth spot, the scene was set for a tight contest.
Belgrave controlled general play in the first quarter and if not for some errant kicking, they could have been further ahead at quarter time.
Max DePina provided a target for the River Pigs and with some strong marking managed to kick Yarra Glen’s two goals for the quarter.
Trailing by 18 points, Yarra Glen’s midfield took control and with Nick McKenzie provided some great connection Yarra Glen took the lead midway through the second quarter.
A steadying goal from Belgrave saw them take back the ascendancy to be four points up at the main break.
The second half saw Belgrave play some god footy, solid in defence and marking strongly up forward and whilst the River Pig midfield continued to work hard, forward targets were hard to find.
Belgrave proved too good and had a solid win.
Final scores: Yarra Glen 13.10 to Belgrave 19.13.
Best for Yarra Glen: Ben Ashton, Aussie Smith, Marcus Kikidopolous, Trent Russell, Sam Wood, Nick McKenzie.
Goalkickers: Max DePina 3, Aussie Smith 2, Sam Wood 2, Jayden Capuano, Noah Battle, Chris Beaton, Nick McKenzie, Ben Marsh.
Once again with a number of senior injuries and many of their own, the Yarra Glen Reserves did well to get 22 players together to take on Belgrave.
Whilst undermanned, the boys battled hard to be just 22 points down at quarter time.
From the second quarter on, however, Belgrave had too much run and with a strong marking forward they had too much speed and strength for a tiring Yarra Glen.
Ethan Murdock fought hard in the backline and Dylan Jarvis was good in the midfield.
Josh Valadon provided a highlight in the last with a great snap from the boundary, they were overpowered to go down 2.4 to 22.16.
Best players: Ethan Murdock, Dylan Jarvis, Dan Kelly, Alastair Lowrie, Josh Dick, Ryan Strong.
Goalkickers: Josh Valadon and Sean Sanderson.
The Under 18’s faced the unbeaten Pakenham and with reduced numbers it was always going to be a tough assignment.
Whilst Pakenham were bigger, stronger and quicker, the Yarra Glen boys continued to work hard in the contest and had moments but were overpowered and ended up going down, Yarra Glen 0.2 to Pakenham 23.18
Best players: Lincoln Brain, Xander Dalton, Robert Pavic, Hunter Grenfell, Alastair Lowrie, Charlie Wilks.
The Yarra Glen Vets played Belgrave in an important game.
The winner being most likely to make a Grand Final at season’s end.
Belgrave put some early goals on the board and managed to maintain their lead throughout.
It was a great contest but Belgrave were just too good on the night, Yarra Glen 7.3 Belgrave 9.11.
Best Players: Andrew Graham, Adam Robert, Regen Daniel, Tom Matthews, Jarrod Exton, Anthony Coppin.
Goalkickes: Jarrod Exton 3,Anthony Coppin 2, Tom Matthews, Lewis Ripepi.
The Yarra Glen netballers took on Belgrave at Belgrave.
The Yarra Glen A Grade girls were looking to consolidate their spot in the top four and played with great intensity from the start.
They led by eight at quarter time and extended their lead in each of the next three quarters.
It was great to see Georgia Crugnale step up in goals shooting 56.
The Yarra girls went on to win convincingly, 65 to 32.
Best Players: Jasmine Evans, Georgia Crugnale, Alana McGurgan.
Yarra Glen B Grade started slowly in their must win clash.
Trailing by four at quarter time, they lifted in the second, connecting well and went into half time a goal up.
The second half was a goal for goal contest with scores locked at 27 each at three quarter time.
In a tense final quarter, the Yarra girls showed great composure and with some crucial intercepts they had a great, 35 to 33 win.
Best Players: Jasmin Wood, Imojean Parsons, Kayla Collins.
The C Grade girls got off to a bad start, trailing by eight at quarter time.
The second quarter was similar with Belgrave being cleaner with their passes.
In a great fightback in the third, Yarra outscored their opponents to be in the game at three quarter time.
Belgrave lifted in the last and Yarra Glen couldn’t close the gap, going down 32 to 44.
Best players: Ash Shanks, Leah Haag, Annie Dietrich
With D Grade starting the day for Yarra Glen in cool and cloudy conditions, the Yarra girls found themselves in a super tight contest.
With scores level at quarter time, Yarra Glen played great netball in the second to take a four goal lead.
Things were reversed in the third as Belgrave shooters lifted as they snatched a one-goal advantage at three quarter time.
In a tense and exciting last quarter Yarra Glen faught to the end only to see scores locked at 21 each at the final hooter.
Best players: Phoebe Boot, Ashleigh Wallace, Lily Dove.
Next week all the Yarra Glen teams host Yea at Yarra Glen with the Vets having a bye.
