By David Ball
Yarra Glen A grade faced Seville in the qualifying final in warm and windy conditions.
It was a fast paced and physical battle.
Despite losing star defender Megan Galetti early in the first quarter, Yarra battled hard with Kim Williams stepping into defence and working hard all game.
Lara Wandin-Collins continued to create opportunities and Katelyn Vanderkolk kept Seville’s star goalers honest.
This competitive edge saw the scores level at quarter time and close at half time, but with less rotations and a tiring team in the heat, Seville were able to pull away winning 38-55.
In B grade Yarra Glen and Belgrave had split the wins during the season with one each and were tied on the ladder for points, so this had the potential to be a close game.
Early in the piece it was goal for goal, with Georgia Crugnale proving a handful for their defenders.
The combination of Prue Morse and Tiah Large feeding the goalers brilliantly, and the incredible accuracy of Ellen Keitley saw a second quarter blitz that Belgrave could just never come back from.
Ellie Estcourt’s work on their goal shooter was outstanding, making the job in attack more effective and the whole team lifted, running away winners 60-51.
In D grade it was a must win elimination final for the Yarra girls against Warburton Millgrove.
It always looked like it was going down to the wire with most of the game going goal for goal.
The steady head and accuracy of Steph Gibbs kept Yarra in the game with young gun Ruby Bennett stepping up when we needed when things were tight.
An amazing hard fought effort by everyone on court but it was Yarra’s defence that proved too strong for Warby in the end, with crucial intercepts in the final minutes giving Yarra extra opportunities to score.
Yarra Glen finished well to win 26-22 to book their place in next week’s semi final.
Next Sunday all four Yarra Glen teams will feature in finals, B and C in second Semis and A and D in first Semi’s.
Venue and times TBC.
