There were some great results for Orbost Snowy Rovers in the final round of East Gippsland netball, which featured some outstanding matches in their home fixture at Lochiel Park against Paynesville.
The Blues finished with a bang in “A” grade, banking their fifth win for the season, easily accounting for Paynesville, who registered one of their highest scores for the season in the 60-30 loss.
Injuries have tested the depth for the Blues, who obviously haven’t lived up to last year’s premiership form, but have still given a good account of themselves finishing the season in fifth place.
Hannah Macalister-Bills and Chelsea Di Cecco were standouts for Orbost.
In “B” grade, the Blues registered their fourth win of the campaign, finishing the season on a high, overcoming the winless but gallant Gulls by 10 goals, 44-32.
When strongly challenged Orbost had all the answers, with Rachael Gueco, Tamara Heyne and promising youngster, Remmi Macdonell leading the way.
There was delight for the Gulls in “C” grade, registering their second win of the season, too strong late for the Blues, winners in a great game 22-19, with Megan Humphreys, Cat Di Cecco and Sarah Kidd battling hard
for Orbost.
Orbost was too strong in “D” grade posting its fifth victory for the season, powering away in the second half to win by 29 goals, 39-10.
Despite finishing the season with an outstanding 71-9 win in the under 17s, the Blues have unfortunately missed the finals by two points.
The girls played some outstanding netball throughout the season, which resulted in nine great victories, but sadly this year 10 wins was the key number to make the top four.
Keeley Greaves, Jasmine Westaway and Jorja Voss all finished the season on a great note, with magnificent efforts.
The match of the day was in the under 15s, where the third and fourth rated sides went at each other over four exciting quarters.
Very little separated the teams throughout the contest, with the Gulls luckily finding themselves a goal up when the final siren sounded (31-30).
Both teams had great intensity, and a draw probably would have been a fitting result.
Despite the loss, the Blues have maintained their spot in the top four, with their finals campaign beginning this week.
Leila Barnes and Holly Hanratty again led from the front for Orbost, as they have for most of the season.
It was another good game in the under 13s with the Blues getting over the line first for the third time for the season, holding on in another good close game of local netball, 24-21.
It was a good way to finish the season for the youngest Blues, with Hayley Russell, Mila Munday and London Austin all in great form.
The Orbost Snowy Rovers under 15s will commence their finals preparation on Sunday at the Bairnsdale City Oval, when they renew acquaintances with Paynesville at 10am, in a cut-throat elimination final, where there are no second chances for the loser.
Nothing separated the two sides on Saturday, with the winner likely to be the side that holds its nerve under intense finals pressure.
