By David Ball
Yarra Glen hosted Alexandra in perfect conditions.
With both teams having numerous players out with injuries and illness, the game started slowly.
Half way through the quarter scores were level with Yarra Glen being competitive with their more fancied opponents.
Alex scored a couple of late goals as their short kicking game started working.
At quarter time they led by 13 points.
In the second and third quarters, Yarra Glen struggled to connect as they went forward, turning the ball over with haphazard kicking while the Rebels were finding space to work in and delivered the ball with precision to their forwards.
Alex added 10 goals in this period while Yarra Glen could not get through the Rebel’s defence to only add four points.
To the River Pig’s credit, they did fight it out to the end and kicked three goals to Alexandra’s four in the last.
Inaccurate kicking didn’t help Yarra Glen as they went down to a stronger opponent, 4.9 to 17.11.
Best players were Heath Chamberlain, Tom Sullivan, James Brereton, Jim Marks, Nathan Deringowski and Sam Wood. Goalkickers were Josh Hawkins, Tom Sullivan, Kenny Barden and Will Duff.
With last minute replacements needed the Yarra Glen reserves did well to start the game with an early goal.
Alex, however, settled well and took control to add five goals to be 25 points ahead at quarter time.
Yarra Glen were competitive in general play but lacked cohesion going forward.
The Rebels capitalised on a number of unforced turnovers and kicked accurately to punish the River Pigs on the scoreboard.
At third quarter time, it was 15.4 to 3.3.
In the last quarter, the Rivers started to connect going forward and with Robbie Tucknott and Hunter Grenfell kicking some great goals, the River Pigs outscored the Rebels in last quarter, finally going down 5.6 to 17.4.
Best players were Braedyn Crombie, Taylor Bryans, Dylan Harding, Ryan Bastian, Seth Denny, Ash Bryans. Goalkickers, Robbie Tucknott 2, Hunter Grenfell, Ash Bryans and Seth Denny.
Yarra Glen A grade netball had a comprehensive 80-22 victory over Alexandra, with the team posting their highest score for the year, dominating each quarter.
Goalers Maddy Hargreave and Lara Wandin-Collins saw plenty of action and were dominant being fed brilliantly by the ever reliable Alana McGurgan.
The stand out player for the game was Megan Galetti who seemed to get an intercept or a defensive rebound every time the ball went near her!
A highly skilled team performance sees this team ready for the next challenge.
In B grade, Yarra Glen put in a strong team performance with everyone playing their role to perfection.
A 25 goal first quarter set the stage for this 72-21 victory over Alexandra.
Ellie Estcourt as usual was brilliant in defence. Kayla Collins stepped up and played a great game in GD, while Tiah Large and Abby Goodwin ran and ran all day, not only setting up the play but defensively shutting down their opponents as well.
After a slow start to the season, the B Grade team are really starting to hit their straps.
In C grade, Yarra Glen girls took on Alexandra at home.
A clinical four quarter performance saw the Yarra Glen girls score 77 goals in just 48 minutes of netball.
From the very start of the game, the Yarra girls were working together to create turnovers all over the court and in attack they were sleek and efficient.
In defence, every ball was contested and with this pressure many intercepts followed.
Special mention to co-captain Sarah Orlandi who was best on court, shooting 39 goals for the day.
D Grade started the day in a tight contest between Yarra Glen in third and fourth placed Alexandra.
Yarra Glen led by four goals going into half time, with Kim Christian and Sam Checuti showing off their connection with each other in the circle and displaying great shooting accuracy.
Alex fought back in the 3rd quarter, evening the score to at 18 goals each going into the last quarter.
The defensive efforts of Annie Dietrich proved a challenge for the Alex attack but in the end the Rebels lifted in the final minutes to see Yarra Glen go down 21-24. Best on court was Sarah Matthews who had a great game as Goalkeeper.
Next week all teams face a big challenge as they take on Warburton-Millgrove at Warburton.
