Yarra Glen travelled to Pakenham to take on the challenge of facing a top two team with a win needed for the senior team to get back into finals contention.
Sadly, the River Pigs never really made it a contest.
Five goals down at quarter time they were unable to put any pressure on the Pakenham midfield.
As a result, they were able to move the ball quickly and precisely into their forward line.
Yarra Glen defenders worked hard with young Jake Ferris a standout.
Yarra Glen produced an improved effort in the second quarter, restricting the Lions to three goals.
Unfortunately, they were failing badly with their forward entries with the constant interceptions seeing the backline under siege.
Yarra Glen were unable to score in the second and third quarters with just one goal added in the last.
It was a disappointing performance as they went down Yarra Glen 2.2 to Pakenham 20.15
Best for Yarra Glen: Jake Ferris, Lachlan Schack, Jayden Capuano, Simon Van Der Westhuizen, Aussie Smith, Dan Christian. Goalkickers were Noah Battle and Richard Gurney.
The Yarra Glen Reserves were up against the undefeated top side and were powerless to stop a stronger, quicker and more skilled Pakenham.
Despite trying hard, the River Pig boys found it hard to maintain possession in the first quarter.
There was a marked improvement in the second as they started to find teammates with their kicks.
They were still falling down when kicking into the forward line.
Pakenham were excellent at using the wide open spaces and with a forward kicking his 100th for the season, the backline were unable to stop the flow of goals.
Yarra Glen were well beaten, losing 1.1 to Pakenham 24.16.
Best players: Lachlan Hanna, Brad McKenzie, Josh Dick, Ethan Murdock, Justin Russo, Matt McKenzie.
The Goalkicker was Josh Valadon.
The Under 18’s came across the undefeated top team in Pakenham.
With a team packed with quality top aged players they have proved too strong, too fast and too skilled for all opposition teams this year.
Whilst the Yarra Glen boys didn’t score in the first quarter they did keep Pakenham to four goals.
The second quarter effort was commendable as they started to use the ball better and link up from defence.
The Yarra boys managed to score two goals for the quarter through Robert Pavic.
It was a credit to the boys as they never gave up and ended up adding a third goal whilst keeping Pakenham to under 20 for the game.
Yarra Glen 3.0 to Pakenham 19.19.
Best players: Alastair Lowrie, Robert Pavis, Sam Gloury, Spencer Boers, Lachlan Rutherford, Brody Adams.
Goalkickers: Robert Pavic 2, Kobey Jarvis 1.
The Yarra Glen netballers also faced Pakenham who were top 2 in all grades.
The Yarra Glen A Grade girls got off to a slow start to be six goals down at quarter time.
They came out firing in the second, handling the defensive pressure better and converting well.
At half time, they were with a goal of Pakenham.
The second half was a carbon copy of the first as Yarra Glen struggled against the pressure from Pakenham in the third and then settled well to match it with their opponents in the last.
Final Scores, Yarra Glen 44 to Pakenham 51.
Best Players: Alana McGurgan, Elise Dobson, Jasmine Evans.
Yarra Glen B Grade girls started well and in a goal for goal encounter were just one down at quarter time.
Pakenham were just that bit bigger and better across the last three quarters and whilst the Yarra girls played well in patches, Pakenham proved too good as Yarra Glen went down 31 to 55.
Best Players: Jasmin Wood, Abbey Stranger, Imojean Parsons.
The Yarra Glen C Grade girls found themselves 6 down at quarter time as Pakenham showed why they sit second on the ladder.
Despite being competitive across the court, Yarra Glen could not stop Pakenham’s shooters.
Whilst the effort was commendable, Yarra Glen were outclassed, going down 26 to 48.
Best players were: Ellie Estcourt, Ashleigh Katoa, Ash Shanks.
With D Grade starting the day for Yarra Glen they kept pace with Pakenham early in the game.
As the game progressed the Yarra girls found it hard to maintain possession and when they did, found the defence made it hard to score.
They improved in the last quarter which was a credit to their effort but could not contain the Pakenham shooters to be beaten 8 to 33.
Best players: Annabelle Forsyth, Ashleigh Wallace, Sarah Matthews.
Next week Yarra Glen is hosting a Pinks Sports Day to raise funds for the fight against Breast Cancer.
They come against Powelltown in senior footy and netball, whilst the Under 18’s host Seville.
The Vets travel to Gembrook on Friday night with a 7pm start.
