It was a tough day on the courts for Orbost Snowy Rovers in round four of East Gippsland netball against Stratford at Boyd Recreation Reserve.
Stratford made a significant statement in “A” grade, thrashing the reigning premier by an astonishing 40 goals.
The Swans never gave the Blues a look in, and to cap off a great day, they also took Orbost’s spot in the top four.
With Boisdale Briagolong, Lucknow and Wy Yung all looking to be genuine premiership contenders, the Blues may struggle to make the finals in 2025 if they can’t find their mojo quickly.
Coco Henry, Sierra Cook and Lilli Stobie were all in sensational form for the Swans, with Tamara Heyne, Olivia Betts and Hannah Macalister-Bills all battling hard for the out of sorts Blues.
Heyne was among the
better players in the earlier game as well.
Stratford was also victorious in the other three senior grades, winning all with relative ease.
Stratford won “B” grade by 25 goals, with Kayla Shanahan, Heyne and Tully Humphreys performing well for Orbost.
The Swans got the jump in “C” grade and rounded out a 21-goal victory, with Orbost’s best Abi Thyne, Laura Poole and Hailey Griebenow.
It was a similar result in “D” grade, with the the Swans not seriously challenged in their 15-goal win, Thyne, Nicole Chapman and Jorja Voss all battling hard.
The best game of the day was the under 17 clash, with nothing separating the sides all day and the match ending in a 36 all draw.
Orbost currently sit in third place on the ladder, above the Swans on just percentage.
Phoebe Seal, Harriet Freeman and Lara Seal were all in great form for the Blues.
Orbost suffered its second loss of the season in the under 15s, going down to a powerful unbeaten Stratford side by 29 goals.
Despite the loss the Blues remain inside the top four, with Leila Barnes, Holly Hanratty and Keira Burn all battling hard for Orbost.
It was another great game in the under 13s with Stratford hanging on to win by a solitary goal in a match where both sides had chances to win and neither side deserved to lose.
Layla Burns, Mita Munday and Isabel Barnes all showed plenty of promise for Orbost.
Orbost will enjoy a bye this week before making the
trek to Bairnsdale to do battle with Lucknow in round six on May 24.
