By David Ball
Netball
Yarra Glen faced off against Seville in a Division 1 A Grade Netball Preliminary Final in wet and windy conditions at Woori Yallock.
The game started with both teams struggling to score, good defence and some nervous shooting kept things tight through the first quarter. Seville settled and took an 8 to 5 lead at the first break.
In the second quarter, Yarra Glen came out firing and levelled the scores. Chelsea Birchall was lively in the centre and Peta Fay rebounded and defended brilliantly. Once again Seville settled and started
to move the ball quickly and precisely to grab a 2-goal lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, Seville really stepped up and as Yarra Glen’s ball movement slowed, the Blues intercepted many of Yarra’s forward moves. Their goal shooters started to get on top and by the end of the third quarter, it was 22 to 13 in Seville’s favour.
As Yarra Glen tired in the last, Seville continued to move the ball quickly down the court and despite stoic efforts in defence, Yarra Glen could not make any headway. Final Scores: Seville 37 to Yarra Glen 20. It was a great effort for the Yarra Glen girls to reach the Prelim after stepping up a division, but Seville proved to be too good and deserved their position in next week’s Grand Final against Berwick.
Yarra Glen’s best were Peta Fay, Katelyn Vanderkolk and Jacqui Hibberd, whilst Steph Gibbs 14 goals were hard-earned. Seville’s best were Luiza Sulemani, Cleo Minney and Ella Morse (19 goals)
