It was a tough day for the Orbost Snowy Rovers netballers in round nine of the East Gippsland Football Netball League, going down to the powerful Wy Yung Tigers in five of the six matches at Lochiel Park
last Saturday.
The stars of the day were the under 15s who moved up to third on the ladder, courtesy of a sensational 41-19 win.
The girls having been playing with great confidence, which will only sky rocket
after a significant win against a similarly matched foe.
Holly Hanratty and Leila Barnes leading the away in all around outstanding team performance from the Blues.
The “A” grade encounter was touted as the match of the round, in a game that the Blues couldn’t afford to lose, and despite a close and tough contest, the Tigers had too much firepower when challenged down the stretch, victorious 42-32.
Hayley Boxall and Jewel Catlin gave their all for the Blues, who now sit three games ajar of the fourth-placed Tigers on the
ladder, their chances of back to back glory looking forlorn.
In “B” grade the Blues were again competitive against one of the better teams in the competition, succumbing late 30-18, with solid efforts from Kayla Shanahan, Tamara Heyne and Narelle Macalister seeing them in the better players.
The unbeaten Tigers showed why they
are the measuring stick in “C” grade, outclassing the Blues 69-16.
Megan Humphreys, Jess Chambers and Cat Dicecco all battled hard and never gave up for Orbost.
It was a closer contest in “D” grade, with Orbost challenging the Tigers, who have only been defeated once for the season, while in contrast the Blues have only been successful twice.
In a game controlled by the defensive players and rattled with turnovers, the Tigers managed to prevail, 37-24 over an Orbost side that has much too look forward to in the back half of the season, if they can maintain Saturday’s intensity.
Consistent soldiers Caitlin Schafer and Sue Kendrick led the way for the home side.
The closest contest as expected was in the under 17s, where fourth-placed Orbost was keen to score an upset win over the second-ranked Tigers.
In a hard fought and competitive encounter, Wy Yung hung on for a 41-36 win, the Blues showing that they can match it with the best when it all falls into place.
Keeley Greaves and Jasmine Westaway were in good touch for the Blues, who dropped to fifth after the loss but should be quickly back in the top four if they can maintain what they showed on Saturday.
The Tigers were too good in the under 13s with Ruby Faithful, Mila Mundy and Layla Burns among the best for Orbost.
Orbost will take on Paynesville this week at AJ Freeman Reserve in Paynesville.
