Having not played at home since early July, all teams were really looking forward to getting back on to home turf.
Coming off a bye last week Healesville senior women were ready to take on Olinda in the last home and away game for the season and hopefully turn around the result from last time they played Olinda.
The first quarter was a relatively close contest with only three majors being scored for the quarter, but it was the Healesville girls on top after the first term leading 2.3.15 to 1.2.8 at the first break.
For the next three quarters, Healesville took control of the play and whilst goals were seemingly hard to come by the local girls were the only ones that managed to get any goals on the scoreboard whilst only
allowing Olinda a single behind for the rest of the game.
In the end, Healesville was too strong taking out the game 5.6.36 to Olinda 1.3.9.
Best for Healesville: A.Caldicott, B.Watson, I.Stock, M.Cameron, D.Jones, A.Bryan.
Next week, girls travel back to Olinda to start their finals campaign to take on Olinda again in an elimination final.
Next up, Healesville U18 boys prepared to take on Wandin and hopefully go one better than the thrilling draw when they last met.
In an even first quarter, it was Healesville with a slight edge at the first break leading 2.3.15 to 1.3.9.
In the next quarter, it was Wandin that took control of the majority of play putting on five straight goals while Healesville managed just 3.2 to give Wandin the lead at the major break 6.3.39 to Healesville 5.5.35. Healesville tightened things up again in the third but could only manage to score four behinds while Wandin with same scoring shots managed 1.3 to increase their lead slightly.
In the last quarter, the tight tussle again continued with the Healesville boys working hard and slowly chipping away at Wandins lead.
With only minutes to go, Healesville had reduced the lead to just two points.
Healesville then slotted a goal with only a minute or so left on the clocked the victory was theirs.
Final score Healesville 8.11.59 to Wandin 8.7.55.
Best for Healesville: G.Houlihan, E.Yates, L.Senti, l.Warner, A.Crossman, J.Newsome.
With the Healeville netball court upgrades not quite yet complete, netball was again back indoors at Healesville High School.
First up was the B grade.
After really struggling to score in last weeks game, the Healesville girls this week got back on track but ultimately Wandin were way too strong winning every quarter to take out the game 95-15.
As always though, the club couldn’t be prouder of this team and their resilience and positive attitude that they bring every week and are always looking for small ways to improve.
Best for Healesville: E.Roberts, L.Cole, A.McMaster.
Nest up on court was the A grade.
Another tough day on court for the Healesville’s top-grade girls but as always, they showed their competitive spirit fighting the game out in every quarter.
In the end though, Wandin proved way too strong winning every quarter and ulitimately taking out the game 75-34.
Best for Healesville: M.Erickson, B.Erickson, A.Heath.
Back to the football and it was the reserve boys.
With quite few injuries to senior players, the reserves once again were relying on the U18’s backing up.
In the first quarter, Healesville boys started off really well and at first break the score was Wandin 3.5.23 to Healesville 1.1.7.
Unfortunately for the Healesville boys, Wandin took the game into the next gear and completely dominated play for the next three quarters and with Healesville U18 lads tiring quickly (and understandably given the hard game they had already played prior) the Healesville team had no answer.
In the end, Wandin was way to dominant taking the win 27.10.172 to Healesville 1.1.7.
Best for Healesville: R.Bode, J.Cross, l.English, M.Holland, R.Ashby, D.English.
To the last game of the day and after a very disappointing game last week, Healesville senior lineup were keen to get back on track and get back to playing the quality football that they know they are capable of.
In the first quarter, Healesville came out flying controlling most of the play and with the Healesville forward pressure looking better than it had for awhile the home side went into the first break leading the competition leaders 3.7.25 to 1.2.8.
In the second quarter, thing tightened up a bit with both sides only managing one major each for the quarter.
The score was Healesville 4.9.33 to Wandin 2.6.18 at halftime.
As to be expected from the quality outfit that Wandin are, they came out after halftime looking to get the game back on their terms.
To the Healesville boys credit they stood up to the onslaught but were a bit inaccurate in front of goal kicking 1.6 for the quarter while Wandin put on five staright to hold a four point lead going in to the last.
First 10 mins of the last and Wandin put on two goals with Healesville not managing to get it between the big sticks.
Healesville boys dug deep and held Wandin scoreless for rest of quarter while putting on two goals to get back to within three points but unfortunately, time wasn’t on their side and in the end, it was Wandin just scraping in 9.7.61 to Healesville 7.16.58.
Disappointing result but if we can take anything out of this game
it is the belief that bour best football is enough to compete with the best in the competition.
Best for Healsville: N.Mende, C.Bradley, J.Newsome, C.Warren, D.Plozza, M.Jones.
Next week back at home against Olinda.
