Magpies hold off Eagles

Narre Warren star Brittany Mashado was in great touch on the weekend. 192847 Pictures: ROB CAREW

By Nick Creely

OUTER EAST NETBALL

REVIEW – ROUND 7

PREMIER

Narre Warren continues to build into its best form with a thrilling victory against rivals, Cranbourne at Kalora Park on Saturday, 44-42.

The Magpies held sway for the majority of the afternoon, but the Eagles kept themselves within touching distance to create an element of tension in the air.

But courtesy of a superb game from star Chloe Phillips (25 goals), and equally impressive efforts from Brittany Mashado and Caitlin Egan, the home side managed to close the game out brilliantly despite a late surge from the visitors.

For the Eagles, Tara Cecil was a force all day, while Shannon Johns contributed 23 goals.

Olinda Ferny Creek, meanwhile, notched up another comfortable win, inflicting Berwick with a 45-goal loss, 75-30.

The Wickers played well in the first quarter to hold the Bloods and force just a five-goal deficit, but the visitors’ class thereafter took over, scoring 60-20 after quarter time to seal the points.

Once again, Peri Stewart was monstrous with 54 goals to take her tally to 312 for the year – 121 more than the next best – while the likes of Alice Paget and Brianna Hipwell were important across the court.

Woori Yallock also enjoyed a strong weekend, coming back from an early deficit to overrun Upwey Tecoma, 64-53.

The visitors trailed by two goals at quarter time after a strong start from the home side, but took control after narrowly winning back the lead in the second term to dominant 35-26 in the second half.

And in the final game of the round, Beaconsfield was just too good for Healesville away, winning 61-21.

DIVISION 1

In a split round in Division 1, Doveton’s solid recent form continued with a gritty 42-34 win away from home at Monbulk.

The Doves had to contend with a fired-up Hawks outfit – which simply refused to go away – finally shaking them with a 13-6 final term after leading by just one goal at the final change.

In a brilliant performance, Emily Pupuke was dominant for the Doves, while Tiana Mancarella’s performance for the Hawks was eye-catching.

And in the other game to be played on Saturday, Mount Evelyn proved a class above Belgrave with a 56-25 win.

In the remaining matches of the round to be played this weekend, the ladder leading ROC takes on the bottom-placed Emerald in what could be a massive percentage booster for the Kangaroos as they continue to break away in top-spot, while Pakenham and Warburton Millgrove will do battle in a vitally important clash at Toomuc Reserve, with the winner set to occupy a spot in the top-five, with the loser set to drop to six.