By David Ball
The Yarra Glen seniors have made it to the first Semi-final and played Powelltown at Yarra Junction.
With the overnight rain and morning drizzle, conditions were wet and slippery.
The game started with both sides winning their share of the footy.
The big difference was Powelltown’s ball handling and kicking skills.
They moved the ball well whilst Yarra Glen fumbled and missed targets with their kicks.
The River Pig’s 5 shots at goal produced only one major, whereas Powelltown kicked 5 from their 7 shots to be 22 points ahead at quarter time.
In the second and third quarters the Demons dominated, handling the conditions much better than Yarra Glen, proving too strong and skilful and with too many strong marking forwards.
Down by 59 points at half time, Yarra Glen offered little resistance in the third quarter and went into the final quarter trailing by 114 points.
To their credit, they fought hard in last to have more scoring shots, before being finishing up losing 3.12 to 22.16.
Best Players for Yarra Glen were Richard Wyles, Tom Sullivan, Callum Morison, Caleb Surplice and Matt McCann. Goalkickers – Josh Hawkins, Blake Binion and Jamie Brereton.
Yarra Glen B Grade played Powelltown at Yarra Junction in a cutthroat 1st semi, having beaten them the previous week.
The first quarter was a tight affair and with each team having a tall and effective goal shooter, both defences were under pressure from the start.
The Yarra girls started well to be 2 goals up at quarter time.
They stretched this to 7 at half time.
A great third quarter saw Yarra Glen pile on 15 goals to 5 to have the game wrapped up with a 17 goal lead.
The final quarter was even as Broadford lifted.
The final result saw Yarra Glen move into the preliminary final with a convincing 43 to 27 victory.
Best players were Jasmin Wood, Georgia Crundale and Meaghan Carter.
In netball, Yarra Glen A Grade were also playing Powelltown after the two teams played an exciting draw last week.
Powelltown came out firing with Yarra Glen missing shots and turning the ball over to be 5 nil down early in the first.
The Yarra girls steadied and with Alana McGurgan controlling the centre they fought back to level the scores at 13 all by quarter time.
Yarra Glen inched ahead to be 2 up at half time.
Maddy Hargrave was shooting well and rebounding any shots she missed.
Brooke McGurgan outplayed her bigger opponent to intercept many of the Demons forward moves. Yarra Glen went on to well-deserved 50 to 37 win.
Best players were Brooke McGurgan, Alana McGurgan and Maddy Hargrave.
D Grade played Yarra Junction in the last semi-final for the day, playing a team they had beaten easily in their 3 encounters this season.
The Yarra girls started well to be 6 to 1 ahead at quarter time.
Junction were working hard but had trouble getting through Yarra Glens defence.
Aided by hard work mid court, Yarra Glen converted under the ring to run out with an easy 29 to 8 victory to advance to the Preliminary final.
Best players were Mel Erickson, Sam Chetcuti and Kim Christian.
Next week all four Yarra Glen netball teams feature in the Preliminary finals being played at Broadford.
A & B grades face Broadford, whilst C & D Grades will take on Powelltown.
