By David Ball
Yarra Glen hosted Broadford under sunny skies with a moderate breeze favouring the river end.
In a high scoring opening, Broadford kicked 7 goals straight whilst Yarra Glen added 6.3.
Broadford’s forward Tom Knight was marking and kicking everything that came his way whilst Yarra Glen missed a few chances and missed targets going forward.
The second quarter saw the River Pigs control the game through the midfield but just couldn’t make the most of their opportunities going forward whilst Broadford were very efficient.
At half time Yarra Glen had taken the lead to be 5 points up, 9.7 to 9.2.
In the third quarter, the River Pigs dominated general play with Josh Hawkins capitalising up forward, leading well and marking strongly.
The River Pigs missed a number of easy goal opportunities as they piled on 5.9 for the quarter to be well ahead at the last break, 14.16 to 11.3.
To Broadford’s credit, they continued to work hard as both sides added 3 goals for the quarter.
Yarra Glen finished 27 point victors, 18.18 to 15.9
Best Players for Yarra Glen were Josh Hawkins, Ben Ashton, Nick McKenzie, Caleb Surplice, Ryan Smith & Tom Sullivan.
Goalkickers – Josh Hawkins 8, Nick McKenzie 3, Tyler Ames 2, James Brereton 2, Richard Gurney, Matt McCann & Tom Sullivan.
The Yarra Glen reserves were looking for their third win for the season against the higher placed Broadford.
They started well kicking the first 2 goals and at one stage in the second quarter lead by 4 goals. Broadford kicked 2 late goals in the second to reduce the margin at half time to 11 points, Yarra Glen 5.2 to Broadford 3.3.
Broadford took control in the third quarter to take a 1 point lead into the last.
With both sides tiring goals were at a premium and when Broadford kicked the first goal for the quarter they took a 7 point lead half way through the quarter.
The River Pigs dug deep and a great Liam Bull mark and goal with 2 minutes to go, Yarra Glen had taken a 6 point lead.
A quick centre clearance saw Broadford tie the scores.
After another quick centre clearance from Broadford, they were deep in attack for the final minute. They had an opportunity for a 40 metre kick after the siren score to pinch the game but the kick fell well short as the game finished in a thrilling draw, 7.6 to 7.6
Best players were Chris Webber, Dayne Downward, Steven Mylas, Regen Daniel, Liam Bull and Josh Dick. Goalkickers were Liam Bull 3, Stirling Twite-Moore 2, Drew Brodie & Chris Webber.
Next week Yarra Glen take on the ladder leaders in Warburton at Yarra Glen.
Yarra Glen Netball C grade got the day started in a battle between 3rd and 4th.
The previous encounters between these sides saw a draw and a 1 goal win for Yarra Glen, so expectations were for another tight tussle.
The first quarter delivered as it was goal for goal, with Yarra Glen 1 goal up at the first break.
The home team got well on top in the second to be leading 17-9 at half time.
Yarra Glen extended their lead to 10 at three quarter time and finished well on top, wining 36 to 21.
Best players were Jacinda Fraser, Courtney Cochrane and Lauren Bull.
Yarra Glen B Grade took on the top team in Broadford and started brilliantly to be leading 18 to 11 at quarter time. Broadford showed why they are the top team as they fought back to close the gap to 3 by half time and gradually increased their lead to win, Yarra Glen 39 to Broadford 52.
Best players were Georgia Crundale, Jasmin Wood and Meaghan Carter.
The Yarra Glen A Grade game was sitting second one game ahead of their opponents in Broadford. With both sides in a tussle for a top 2 the game started a real battle.
Just 2 goals up at quarter time, Broadford extended their lead to 6 at half time.
Yarra Glen came out firing in the third but could only reduce the margin to 4 goals at the last break. In a great contest, Yarra Glen finished strongly but Broadford showed great resilience to hold on for a 2 goal victory, Yarra Glen 55 to Broadford 57.
Best players were Alana McGurgan, Maddy Hargrave (42 goals) and Gemma Ryan.
Next week all four teams take on the highly placed Warburton Millgrove at Yarra Glen.
