By David Ball
Yarra Glen travelled to Belgrave to try and make amends for a disappointing first round performance.
The first quarter was a competitive affair with the River Pigs matching it with Belgrave in general play.
The home side, however was proving more efficient going forward and opened up an 18 point lead at the first break leading 5.1 to Yarra Glen’s 2.1.
The second quarter was a shocker for Yarra Glen as Belgrave dominated in the midfield and with their many forward thrusts were able to add six goals while Yarra Glen managed just the three points.
At half time, Yarra Glen had 2.4 to Belgrave’s 11.3.
The River Pigs came out in the third with much more intensity and as result Belgrave were rushed in attack and the increased pressure saw them struggle to convert up forward, adding just the three goals for the quarter.
Jim Marks was causing problems for the Belgrave defence as Yarra Glen also added three goals.
Sadly, the River Pigs could not maintain their intensity in the last quarter as Belgrave took control all over the ground, totally dominate as they piled on 10 goals to Yarra Glen’s one.
Yarra Glen went down 6.4 to 24.22
Best players for Yarra Glen were: Chris Webber, Sam Wood, Jim Marks, Chris Beattie, Dylan Jarvis and Max DePina.
Goalkickers: Jim Marks 2, Josh Hawkins 1, Marcus Kikidoplous 1, Sam Wood 1 and Heath Chamberlain 1.
The Yarra Glen reserves took on the undefeated top of the ladder Belgrave and it soon became clear why they held that position.
The River Pigs worked hard early but were punished on turnovers to see Belgrave kick 6.4 to Yarra Glen’s 1.0 in the first quarter.
The second quarter saw the home team lift their intensity and were proving too quick around the ground to create numerous easy scoring opportunities.
Belgrave added nine goals for the quarter as the River Pigs scored just one.
At half time, Belgrave lead 15.8 to 2.1. Yarra Glen worked hard in the second half but were outclassed by a fitter and quicker Belgrave team.
While never giving up, Yarra Glen were only able to add one goal to see them well beaten.
Final Scores Yarra Glen 3.1 to Belgrave 28.21.
Best players: Will Duff, Lachlan Crawford, Sean Spencer, Taylor Bryans, Maf Laloulu and Ash Bryans,
Goalkickers: Sean Sanderson, Kyle Kime and Will Duff.
Yarra Glen A grade netball team came up against a fiercely competitive Belgrave side who got the jump on Yarra Glen early.
Trailing in the first half Yarra stuck to their own game and structures and kept chipping away at the deficit.
With a few A grade players missing, they were blessed with contributions from Kayla Collins and Edana Lacey, while Katelyn Vanderkolk switched into GD and led the defence brilliantly. Alana McGurgan showed class and skill in centre and Maddy Hargrave was her usual dominating best in GS.
With a dominant third quarter Yarra took a four goal lead and then held on in the last coming away with a hard fought 56-53 victory.
Yarra Glen B grade has been going strength to strength with an excellent turnaround from the first game of the year against Belgrave.
With contributions all over the court, they put together a solid four quarter effort.
Prue Morse stepped into the team seamlessly and ran all day in centre, Ellie Estcourt was her dominating best in GK and Kayla Collins ran and jumped and was everywhere in a best on court
performance.
Belgrave had no answer to Yarra Glen’s potency as whenever we had the ball, they generally scored. Yarra Glen eventually ran away winners over second placed Belgrave, 51-42.
In Yarra Glen C Grade’s match against Belgrave the Yarra girls put in an impressive performance.
They adapted and showed some real dominance in both attack and defence.
The Yarra girls dominated the game from the outset, Sarah Orlandi and Alex Bray combining with deadly accuracy in goals.
They were fed brilliantly by Riley Shanks, who was everywhere, using her speed and agility to beat her opponent.
This is a team who work so well together all over the court.
Winning every quarter comfortably, Yarra Glen ran away winners 48-34
A close game at Belgrave saw Yarra Glen’s D grade have to fight to the very end.
After going into half time, three goals up Yarra Glen couldn’t match it with Belgrave and were outscored in the second half to go down 20-23.
Maddie Oultram and Jacinda Bryans were consistent and provided run all day.
Annie Dietrich put in a great game in the circle, building a lot of pressure and despite providing opportunities for the attack, they were unable to convert enough to get over the line.
Next week all Yarra Glen teams have a bye.
