By David Ball
Yarra Glen took on top side Warburton Millgrove at Yarra Glen in perfect conditions.
Both teams were missing their top midfielders, Ben Ashton for the River Pigs and Tom Barr for the Burras.
Warby didn’t miss a beat, outclassing Yarra Glen in the middle, giving their forwards plenty of opportunities. They wasted a few, ending up with 6.7 at quarter time.
Yarra Glen kicked a couple of late goals to be 2.1.
The second quarter saw the Burras dominate in general play, but with some extra pressure from the River Pigs and some errant kicking only added 3.6 to Yarra Glen’s single goal.
Down by 48 points at half time, things only got worse for Yarra Glen, with leading goal kicker Josh Hawkins and a few others suffering injuries.
With a depleted line up the River Pigs came out and battled hard in the third quarter, Jayden Schille on one leg kicking 2 goals as the team added 3.3 for the quarter, with Warby adding another 5.
With no bench in the last the River Pigs struggled against a younger and fitter Warburton Millgrove outfit. They once again dominated and in the end, Yarra Glen were well beaten, 6.6 to 21.22.
Best Players for Yarra Glen were Ryan Smith, Tom Sullivan, Jim Marks, Richard Wyles, Tyler Ames and Callum Morison.
Goalkickers – Jayden Schille 2, Matt McCann, Josh Hawkins, Marcus Kikidopolous & Callum Morison.
The Yarra Glen Reserves went in against the undefeated Warburton Millgrove with a depleted line up due to a number of senior injuries.
Warburton started in fine style to be 6 goals up by quarter time.
Yarra Glen improved in the second quarter with Dayne Downward battling hard in defence and Ash Bryans lifting in the midfield.
Warby added 4 goals to Yarra Glen’s 1 to see a 59 point margin at half time.
The River Pigs weren’t able to add a goal in the second half whilst the Burras piled on 13.
Their key forward in Damien Egan proving to be too good for the Yarra defenders, kicking 10 goals.
The final score, Yarra Glen 1.3 to Warburton 23.13
Best players were Ash Bryans, Dayne Downward, Regen Daniel, Lachlan Crawford, Dylan Jarvis and Daniel Galbraith. The Goalkicker was Drew Brodie.
Next week Yarra Glen takes on third-placed Powelltown at Yarra Glen in the last home and away game for the season.
Yarra Glen Netball D grade got the day started with an intense first quarter battle against top side Warburton with only 2 goals separating the teams at quarter time.
Yarra Glen closed the gap to just 1 goal at half time and continued to take it to the top team in the third.
Warburton were just 2 goals ahead as the last quarter started.
Yarra Glen struggled to convert their opportunities in the last as the Burras went on to win by 7, Yarra Glen 21 to Warburton 28.
Best Players were Chantelle Farley, Maddie Oultram and Sam Chetcuti.
C Grade was a battle between top side Warburton Millgrove and 2nd placed Yarra Glen.
The home side started well to be 11 to 8 up at quarter time.
In a great second quarter the River Pig Girls pressured Warby into a number of turnovers and converted well themselves to stretch the lead to 6 at half time.
The visitors worked hard at the start of the third but as the quarter progressed the home team got on top again to extend the lead to 10 goals at the last break.
Whilst Warby fought back in the last, Yarra Glen held on to win 38 to 31 and to take over top spot.
Best players were Ash Shanks, Courtney Cochrane and Sarah Orlandi.
Yarra Glen B Grade sitting 4th took on 3rd placed Warburton Millgrove, having been well beaten by them in their previous 2 encounters.
The Yarra Girls started well to be 2 ahead at quarter time and 3 up at half time.
It was goal for goal early in the third until Yarra Glen finished off well to extend their lead to 5 at the last break.
Warby lifted in the last but were held off by a determined Yarra Glen who ended up winning in a tight finish, 44 to 42.
Best players were Casey Wandin Collins, Jasmin Wood and Meaghan Carter.
The Yarra Glen A Grade team took on ladder leaders Warburton Millgrove having been well beaten by the Burras in their previous 2 clashes.
In a high quality game both sides moved and controlled the ball well and in a goal for goal first half Yarra Glen had edged ahead to be 1 goal up at the main break.
The visitors showed why they are on top with an excellent third quarter to take a 15 goal lead into the last quarter.
The last quarter was a high quality goal for goal contest, with both sides scoring 13 goals. Going down 51 to 66, Yarra Glen showed for 3 quarters they could match it with the best.
Best players were Lara Wandin Collins, Gemma Ryan & Alana McGurgan.
Next week all four teams take on the highly placed Powelltown teams at Yarra Glen.
