Orbost Snowy Rovers stayed in finals contention with an impressive victory over Lindenow during a high scoring “A” grade match at the Lindenow Recreation in round 14 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League.
The Blues remain in fifth place on the table, trailing fifth-placed Boisdale Briagolong by percentage.
After a close opening term where both sides traded goals, Orbost upped the tempo in the second quarter, with exceptional shooting accuracy off the back of outstanding transition and tough defence.
The Blues piled on 20 goals in the second quarter, much to the delight of coach, Hayley Boxall, opening up a 10-goal lead with two quarters to play.
Not resting on their laurels, Orbost again was dominant in an 18-14 third term, where both sides moved the ball effectively.
Despite tiring in the final term, the Blues were able to maintain the advantage, winning by 14 goals.
The Blues face a tough match this week against third-ranked Stratford, victory crucial if they are to assert themselves into the top four in the final weeks of the home and away season.
A disappointing loss to the Cats in “B” grade sees Orbost now six points outside the top four, with matches against two sides above it in the coming weeks.
The Cats and Blues looked evenly matched on paper, and it was that way on court for three quarters of the match.
The sixth-placed Lindenow jumped on an early advantage which was maintained throughout the physical encounter to win by six goals.
The match of the day was in “C” grade, where both teams went into the clash out of finals contention, but both locked on four wins for the season.
Orbost played a sensational first quarter, opening up a lead of nine goals before the Cats went to work, trying to peg it back.
Still holding an advantage of eight goals at three quarter time, the Blues looked safe, but the Cats rallied, reeling off a 12-5 final term, the clock saving Orbost, one-goal winners in a great game.
The fifth-placed Orbost stayed in the running for a finals berth in “D” grade, scoring a hard fought one-goal win in low scoring and defence dominated match.
Top of the ladder in the under 15s, Lindenow went on its winning way, eclipsing the Blues by 13 goals, the Cats just too consistent over four quarters, their shooting a feature.
