By David Ball
Yarra Glen travelled up to Broadford and were greeted with sunshine and a strong wind.
Yarra Glen won the toss and kicked with the aid of the strong northerly.
Broadford, however, started with greater purpose, using precise kicking to control the game.
Yarra Glen missed some easy set shots and were also let down by poor field kicking.
At quarter time the River Pigs led by just 3 points having kicked just the 1 goal.
With the aid of the wind, Broadford piled on 4 goals to Yarra Glen’s 1 to take a handy 17 point lead into half time.
General play followed the pattern of the first, with Broadford hitting the many loose targets they had through the midfield whilst Yarra Glen struggled to connect.
In the third quarter the River Pigs came out with more intensity and with the move of Callum Morison forward, they had a big target to focus on when in attack.
Whilst they outscored Broadford 4 goals to 1, the River Pigs led by just the 1 point at three quarter time.
With Broadford coming home with the strengthening wind and kicking a goal in the opening seconds of the last, it was looking like the home team would notch up their second win for the season.
Ryan Smith in the ruck got on top as Yarra Glen started winning the clearances and finding targets up forward.
Sam Wood and Josh Hawkins goaled from set shots whilst Tom Sullivan kicked a great goal from the pocket to put Yarra Glen 2 goals clear with 5 minutes to go.
As both sides crashed into every contest Broadford rushed a couple of points before nailing a goal with 2 minutes to go to reduce the margin to just 4 points.
A rushed kick right on the siren went wide, sneaking in for a point, to see Yarra Glen finish on top by just 3 points.
Final scores Yarra Glen 9.9 defeated Broadford 8.12.
Best players were Tom Sullivan, Ryan Smith, Ben Ashton, Sam Wood, James Donald and Richard Gurney.
Goalkickers were Tom Sullivan 2, Sam Wood 2, Jimmy Marks, Josh Hawkins, Callum Morison, Richard Gurney and Callum Tucker.
The 5th placed Yarra Glen reserves took on 6th placed Broadford in good, albeit windy conditions.
Having won the toss and kicking to the wind assisted end in the 1st quarter, the River Pigs were very sluggish whilst Broadford started with plenty of energy.
With a strong marking forward line Broadford were able to get out to a 3 goal lead at quarter time.
Kicking with the wind in the second, Broadford added 6 goals to Yarra Glens 2 points to be 56 points ahead at the main break.
Ash Bryans and Regen Daniel were working hard in the midfield but their efforts were thwarted by a solid Broadford defence.
In the 3rd quarter Yarra Glen lifted and were able to hold Broadford goal less whilst adding 1 of their own.
Despite being outplayed and outclassed, the River Pigs kept trying and restricted the opposition to a 3 goal to 1 last quarter.
Broadford finished up convincing winners, final scores Yarra Glen 2.7 to Broadford 12.13.
Best players were Ash Bryans, Jamie Brereton, Liam Bull, Ben Johnson, Luke Vanderstadt and Oscar Grenfell.
Ben Ramadge kicked the 2 goals.
Next week Yarra Glen takes on the top team at Warburton.
Yarra Glen Netball D Grade had a bye so the netball day started with C Grade playing Broadford.
The two teams fought out a thrilling draw in their previous meeting and this game started in that same mode.
At quarter time Broadford led by 1 goal and then stretched it to a 4 goal lead at half time.
A big 7 goal to 4 third quarter from Yarra Glen saw the margin shaved to just 1 goal.
Sarah Orlandi was starting to take control in goals whilst the defence of Yarra Glen had tightened up. Scoring in the last quarter lifted as both sides improved their ball control and turnovers reduced.
In a great final few minutes, Yarra Glen were able to take the lead and hold on for a thrilling 1 goal victory, 26 to 25
Best players were Ashley Shanks, Michele Young and Sarah Orlandi (16 goals)
4th placed Yarra Glen B Grade took on the top team in Broadford.
Broadford took control early and arced out to an 8 goal.
With an increase in intensity they were able to create many turnovers in the 2nd quarter to pile on 16 goals to Yarra Glen’s 2.
The Yarra Glen girls worked hard in the third quarter but were still being outplayed to be 11 to 39 at 3 quarter time.
The last quarter saw a great improvement in Yarra Glen’s ability to move the ball and to defend but they were unable to close the gap, final scores Yarra Glen 21 to Broadford 50.
Best players were Tiah Large, Jasmin Wood and Casey Wandin-Collins
The A Grade game was a contest between two sides equal on points in 2nd place.
With the important 2nd spot on the line, both sides attacked the game from the start, with Yarra Glen holding sway by 3 goals at quarter time.
In a high quality contest, both teams were controlling their forward moves and converting well.
The Yarra Glen lead was trimmed to just 2 goals and half time and to just 1 at 3 quarter time.
Yarra Glen Started to get ahead and quickly established an 8 goal advantage.
Broadford fought back to get within 2 before the Yarra Glen girls steadied and finished up with a well-earned 8 goal victory, final scores Yarra Glen 56 to Broadford 48.
Best players were, Ellie Estcourt, Gemma Ryan and Kim Williams.
Next week all four teams travel to Warburton to take on the strong Warby teams.
