It was a tough road trip for Orbost Snowy Rovers in round nine of East Gippsland netball, trekking to Bairnsdale to take on one of the competition’s powerhouses, Lucknow.
Pickings were lean at the courts, with just one win from seven matches, but it was a significant and memorable victory — one that could be the start of something special.
The hardworking and talented Blues under 17 team, who sit third on the ladder, outplayed and knocked off the previously unbeaten ladder-leading Magpies in a huge statement.
Orbost Snowy was ruthless in both defence and offence, capitalising on numerous turnovers caused by sheer pressure while transitioning with style and intent.
In the second half, when challenged strongly, the Blues held firm, winning in sensational fashion 36–26. Harriet Freeman, Lara Seal and Jaz Westaway were in outstanding form, leading the way in a confidence-boosting victory.
The most hyped encounter of the day was in the under 15 fixture, with the top two teams going head-to-head in what could be a grand final preview.
On this occasion, the unbeaten Magpies reigned supreme, winning comfortably 36–18. The Blues were beaten but not defeated, and are now aware of what level they need to be at to challenge the current grade benchmark in the back half of the season.
The Magpies play an exciting brand of netball which will be tough to beat.
Among the best for Orbost were Hayley Russell and Abi Palmer.
Lucknow has taken all before it thus far in the current “A” grade season, making short work of all opponents in an unbeaten run that is the envy of the chasing pack.
The Blues went down 58–36 but certainly weren’t disgraced, putting up a positive performance which they hope might set them up for some solid wins in the back half of the season.
There were some solid patches in the match where the Blues showed they are more than capable of mixing it with the competition heavyweights.
Chelsea DiCecco, Hayley Boxall, Lara Seal and Brooke Balmer all worked hard against a quality opponent.
Another gutsy effort came in “B” grade with Lucknow winning 34–24, but the ladder-leaders struggled to shake off a determined Orbost Snowy combination, who certainly played above their current seventh-placed ladder ranking.
The pressure from the visitors was constant, with Tamara Heyne and Meg Herbert standout performers in one of the better efforts from a team perspective on the day.
The unbeaten Magpies were ruthless in “C” grade, winning 50–9, and a similar outcome followed in “D” grade, with Lucknow running out easy 38–16 winners. Kayley Robinson and Helen Nixon worked hard against the odds for the Blues.
In the under 13s, the highly talented and more experienced home side were easy winners 56–13, with Ruby Faithfull, London Austin and Layla Burn giving their all.
The Blues will venture to AJ Freeman Reserve in Paynesville this Saturday to take on the Gulls, who have showed improvement across a number of grades this season and will be desperate for some wins.
