Round eight for Healesville Football Netball Club saw all teams football and netball back on home soil taking on Officer in all games except for our Senior Women who started of proceedings bright and early against Pakenham.
The first half of the game was a fairly even battle with neither team able to get the ball between the big sticks.
The score at the main break Healesville 0.9.9 to Packenham 0.4.4.
The third quarter and the Healesville girls finally managed to get their radar working kicking two goals, four behinds while holding Pakenham scoreless to hold a 21-point lead going into the last quarter.
In the last Healesville again held Pakenham scoreless but again couldn’t find the gap between the big sticks kicking only three behinds.
Final score Healesville 2.16.28 to Pakenham 0.4.4. Perhaps some goal kicking practice is on the cards during the next couple of weeks.
Best for Healesville M.Cameron, B.Watson, S.Morris, M.Potter, A.Frazzetto, M.Cianci.
After last week’s disappointing big loss at the hands of Olinda, our U18s were looking to get back on track.
The first half saw both sides go pretty much goal for goal but at the main break, with Officer being less accurate in front of goal, the visitors held a nine point lead.
Officer 4.5.29 to Healesville 3.2.20.
The third quarter saw Healesville take control of the game kicking two goals, one behind and restricting Officer to just one behind to take a five point lead going into the last.
The last quarter was a great contest throughout and it looked the game could go either way.
In the end, the visitors prevailed by a single point with the final score Healesville 6.7.43 to Officer 6.8.44.
Best for Healesville:
R.Bode, G.Houlihan, M.Holland, A.Crossman, C.Bradford, T.Dunne.
First up on the netball front was our B Grade taking on Officer.
Another tough day on court for our girls with Officer and at three quarter time Officer were well in control
leading 81-5.
Going into the last, the Healesville girls decided to mix thing up and make a few positional changes and just have some fun.
It seemed to work, having their best quarter for the season putting on nine goals.
Ultimately though Officer were way to strong, going on to win 105 – 14.
Again we couldn’t be prouder of our girls’ dedication and resilience.
Best for Healesville E.Roberts, S.Maile, E.Cameron.
Back at the football and much like our U18s, the Reserves were looking to bounce back from last week’s big loss against Olinda.
Right from the first bounce a dominant Officer line up took complete control of the game putting on six goals in the first 15 or so minutes of the game.
To the Healesville boys’ credit though they rallied and finally managed to get some control of the football and for the rest of the first and the second quarter they stemmed the flow a little and when in possession looked good but couldn’t manage to get on the scoreboard.
Half time and Officer 10.5.65 leading Healesville 0.2.2. the third quarter and again Healesville couldn’t have an impact on their own score but still manged to slow Officer’s attack on the scoreboard.
The last quarter and a resilient Healesville line up just ran out of legs with Officer running out big winners 19.10.124 to Healesville 1.4.10.
Once again outstanding performances from the seven U18s that backed up from their game to make sure we could field a side.
Hopefully the coming weeks will see some more senior players become available so we can at run out games a bit better.
Best for Healesville A.Dobbin, M.Holland, D.English, Gideon Houlihan, J.Grace, R.Cameron.
Back over at netball and our A Graders were looking to get their second win for the season.
The first five minutes saw both sides go goal for goal till Healesville managed to string together four unanswered goals to get a four goal lead which they managed to maintain to lead 17-13 at first break.
The second quarter and Officer rallied outscoring the home side 14-11 and at the main break there was only one goal in it
Healesville 28 Officer 27.
The next two terms and Healesville remained in control winning both quarters and taking the game 59-50. Great win and once again showing their competitiveness at Premier level.
Best for Healesville:
A.Heath, B.Erickson, H.Blackney.
Last up to finish of the day of mixed results for the home sides our Seniors were looking forward to being back on home soil and getting back on track after a couple of tough weeks playing away.
The home side started off well, controlling the ball and finally playing the type of football that we know they are capable of, kicking the first four goals before Officer got a couple late but with Healesville squeezing one more in late, the home side lead at first break 5.1.32 to Officer 2.2.14.
The next second quarter and Officer rallied and got the game back on more even terms and with both teams
only managing one major each the score at half time was Healesville 6.3.39 to Officer 3.6.24.
The third quarter and Officer came out firing and took control of the game, leaving the Healesville boys struggling to get the game back on our terms.
At three quarter time and Officer had overcome Healesville’s half time lead to go into the last leading 7.8.50 to 7.5.47.
The last quarter Officer had the first five scoring shots but luckily for Healesville they only managed one major score and when Healesville finally made an impact on the score with a goal around the 15-minute mark the margin was only seven points and when Healesville score again, though this time only a behind there was just one straight kick in it.
The next 6 or so minutes saw Healesville battle hard to hold out Officer from scoring but struggle to get the ball forward.
With the clock showing 25.30 and the siren imminent, Healesville’s Charlie Warren had a shot on goal deep in the forward pocket and slotted it through to tie things up.
Back to the centre and both sides only hope of victory was a quick clearance and any scoring shot but with the siren sounding before the ball even left the centre circle it was to end in draw Healesville 9.6.60 Officer 8.12.60.
Not a loss but disappointing for Healesville knowing that their best football should have won this game but they are just struggling to adapt their football when challenged.
Plenty to work on and a good chance for some extra recovery in the next couple of weeks with a break next week for King’s Birthday weekend after which we will be off to the hills again to take on Gembrook on their home soil.
