By David Ball
Yarra Glen playing at home took on the star studded Powelltown outfit in cold and drizzly conditions.
The River Pigs were celebrating two 200 game milestones, skipper Ben Ashton and the ever reliable Ryan Smith.
The last time these two sides met Powelltown obliterated Yarra Glen by 20 goals.
Any thoughts of a repeat were dispelled early as Yarra Glen started strongly.
They moved the ball well with precise kicking and quick movement.
The defence lead by Jimmy Marks and James Donald were able to intercept a number of Powelltown forward moves, helped by the pressure from the midfield.
At quarter time Yarra Glen were in front, 5.4 to 3.4.
In the second quarter Yarra Glen extended their lead to 20 points.
They continued to win the ball in contests and moved the ball quickly to the forwards where they were able to score with Josh Hawkins the main contributor.
Playing his first game after a pre-season run, Tyler Ames was nullifying Powelltown’s gun ruckman, Ben Wratten and was giving the Yarra Glen midfielders in Ben Ashton and Tom Sullivan first use of the ball.
At half time the scores were Yarra Glen 9.4 to Powelltown 5.8.
With a major upset on the cards, Powelltown came out in the third quarter more committed and the game lifted a level.
Despite the Demons increased intensity, Yarra Glen continued to maintain their competitive work all around the ground and half way through the quarter, they were still 20 points ahead of their more fancied rivals.
Powelltown banged on 3 late goals to reduce the margin to 4 points at the last break, Yarra Glen 11.5 to Powelltown 9.13.
Powelltown kicked the first goal early in the last quarter to take the lead for the first time in the game.
Yarra Glen were running out of legs as Powelltown’s quality and experience started to show.
They controlled the ball, spreading well and finding loose targets as the River Pigs struggled to get the ball in hand.
Ben Wratten took control in the ruck as Powelltown started converting all their forward moves.
Yarra Glen struggled to convert up forward and without adding any scoreboard pressure, Powelltown were able to hold on for a 14 point victory, Yarra Glen 12.6 to Powelltown 13.14.
Best Players for Yarra Glen were Jimmy Marks, Ben Ashton, Josh Hawkins, Richard Wyles, Tom Sullivan & James Donald. Goalkickers – Josh Hawkins 6, Heath Chamberlain 2 and singles to James Brereton, Marcus Kikidoplolous, Anthony Harman and Nick McKenzie.
With a full team the Yarra Glen reserves took on Powelltown hoping for a good contest after last week’s disappointing result.
Whilst proving to be more competitive in general play, the River Pigs were unable to link up as they moved forward and saw Powelltown score on the back of Yarra Glen turnovers.
At quarter time Powelltown were 27 points ahead, Yarra Glen 0.2 to Powelltown 4.5.
Whilst Yarra Glen improved in their defensive efforts, the Demons were able to continue to score on the back of Yarra Glen’s turnovers to extend their lead to 48 points.
The River Pigs continued to work hard and were rewarded with a good goal to Chris Webber and restricted the opposition to 3 goals for the quarter.
As the underdone Yarra Glen boys were tiring, despite never giving up, they ended up seeing the difference extend in last, with final scores, Yarra Glen 1.7 to Powelltown 14.15.
Best players were Josh Dick, Troy Beath, Max Forbes, Alec Peterson, Luke Vanderstadt and Dayne Downward. Chris Webber kicked Yarra Glen’s goal
Next week Yarra Glen travels to Yarra Junction for the First Nations Round.
Yarra Glen Netball D Grade faced 2nd placed Powelltown as they celebrated Chantelle Farley’s 200th game.
It was a tightly contested 1st quarter with the Yarra girls taking it up to their higher placed opposition to be down by just 2 goals at the first break.
In the second quarter Yarra Glen faced increased pressure and a number of turnovers saw Powelltown take control to be 10 goals ahead at half time.
Yarra Glen played well in the second half to outscore their opponents but couldn’t bridge the gap with final scores Yarra Glen 28 to Powelltown 35.
Best players were Kim Christian, Chantelle Farley and Sam Chetcuti.
Yarra Glen C grade, sitting 3rd on the ladder took on the 2nd placed Powelltown and the game started as a great contest.
Yarra Glen were linking up better and were cleaner with their passing to be 3 goals up at quarter time. Powelltown lifted in the second and at half time scores were locked at 15 all.
The third was very even battle as the teams went goal for goal. Yarra Glen held the slimmest of margins to be just 1 goal ahead at three quarter time.
The last quarter witnessed a great effort from the Yarra Glen girls as they tightened up in defence and converted well to run out 4 goal winners, Yarra Glen 29 to Powelltown 25
Best players were Ashley Shanks, Courtney Cochrane and Sarah Orlandi.
4th placed Yarra Glen B Grade took on 2nd placed Powelltown.
The visitors started well and took a 5 goal lead into the quarter time break.
The second and third quarters were tight contests but with Powelltown converting just that little bit better to extend their lead to 8 goals at the last break.
They were not able to close the gap but did have a 12 goal to 8 last quarter, eventually going down 41 to 45.
Best players were Tammie Milbourne, Georgia Crugnale (18 goals) and Natasha Bennett.
In the A Grade game it was a contest between 2nd placed Yarra Glen and 4th placed Powelltown, who were just the 1 game behind.
The first quarter was a goal for goal affair, both sides controlling the ball well, with the visitors just 1 goal ahead at quarter time.
Powelltown lifted the tempo in the second and forced Yarra Glen into errors whilst the Demons converted most of their opportunities. At half time the lead had blown out to 10 goals.
The second half saw Powelltown continue to stretch their lead.
They were clinical with their ball movement whereas Yarra Glen were unable to connect and committed a number of turnovers.
A convincing win to Powelltown, Yarra Glen going down 32 to 55
Best players were Lara Wandin Collins, Gemma Ryan and Kim Williams.
Next week all 4 teams face Yarra Junction away.
