By David Ball
Football
Saturday was the 8th Pride Cup event at Yarra Glen, with the home team facing Belgrave. Both sides were desperate to enjoy their first win of the season, with Yarra Glen determined to maintain their unbeaten run in Pride Cup clashes.
Yarra Glen dominated general play in the first quarter but Belgrave was more efficient going forward kicking 3.0 to Yarra Glen’s 2.6. With Sam Horsley providing plenty of midfield supply the
River Pigs took a 14 point lead into halftime. Up forward Callum Morison and Charlie Wood each had 3 goals by three-quarter time as the lead stretched to 23 points.
As in the first 2 quarters, Yarra Glen’s conversion was poor, heading into the last quarter at 8.16 versus Belgrave 6.5.
The last quarter was a real battle as Yarra Glen had lost some key players to injury and Belgrave poured on the pressure, outscoring the home team 2.5 to 0.4.
Yarra Glen held on to win their 8th straight Pride Cup, 9.20 to 8.10 . Belgrave gave a solid 4 quarter effort and showed they will not be easy to beat as the season progresses.
Jayden Schille took out the Pride Medal in a great display in the backline, well supported by Blake Binion. Sam Wood, Billy Gardner and Dylan Flakemore all playing well in the midfield and up forward. Sam Horsley was great in the midfield.
The reserves put in a much-improved performance and in general play was much more competitive than the final score of 8.6 to 15.7 would indicate. Heath Chamberlain kicked 4 goals to be our best forward. Adam Beath in defence was our best player, with Steve Mylas, Zac Capuano and Adam Whelan all playing well.
Netball
The A grade team was determined to back the Pride Cup and at halftime held a 1 goal lead.
Belgrave’s Goal shooter, Ashlee Murphy was outstanding shooting 43 goals and taking out the Pride Medal. The Yarra Glen girls competed hard but ended up going down 46-52. Steph Gibbs (34 goals), Katelyn Vanderkolk and 200 gamer Chelsea Birchall were our best players.
B Grade started well, being up 11-9 at quarter time. Belgrave lifted and although Kim Williams, Gemma Ryan and Kayla Collins all played great games, we went down 47-59.
C Grade let Belgrave get to an 11 goal lead by halftime, but fought bravely in the second half, outscoring the opposition. The final score was 27-36. Our best were Alex Bray, Gemma Ryan and 200 gamer Michele Young.
D Grade was able to post our only win for the day in a great 38-26 victory. It was a 4 quarter effort with Kim Christian, Jayne Bashford and Melissa Erickson being our best.
Next week we head to Berwick Springs for the first time.
