By David Nagel
Reigning champion Tooradin-Dalmore has served up a serious reminder that it won’t be surrendering its crown without one hell of a fight after the Seagulls trounced Bunyip by 17 goals at the Bunyip Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Seagulls did most of the damage in a rampaging second quarter where they scored 22 goals to nine to race out to a 16-goal lead at half time.
The Bulldogs responded well in the second half, only losing it by one, but when the pressure was hot early the Seagulls clearly had all the answers.
The Seagulls stars were all on fire with Sara Duncan, Jess Maher and Ebony Mason all running riot, while Chloe Crouch continues to show her class through the midcourt.
This was a costly 40-57 loss for Bunyip, who dropped from second to fourth place on the ladder. It’s a tough break for the Bulldogs, who hadn’t lost a game since round one.
Ebony Mumford now has two weeks to re-inject her team full of confidence with the Bulldogs this week having the Kilcunda-bass enforced bye.
Korumburra-Bena has also made the most of Bunyip’s slip up and moved to second place on the ladder with a comfortable 63-30 win over Cora Lynn.
The Giants wasted no time asserting their ascendency, scoring 16-7 in the first quarter and building that nine-goal lead to 16 at half time after a 14-7 second term.
Chloe Hogg (GS) had the hot hand in the opening stanza, scoring 10 goals, while Kim Hillberg (GA) and centre Kelsey Buxton were also slick and effective around the court.
The Cobras stuck to their task really well and coach Allan Douglas will be pleased that players like Emily Brook, Bianca Douglas and Maddi Taylor kept working hard against quality opposition until the final buzzer.
Phillip Island is celebrating again after snapping a two-game losing streak with a 46-37 victory over Inverloch-Kongwak.
It was a cold afternoon at the Cowes Recreation Reserve and it did take the Bulldogs some time to warm up.
The Doggies led 12-11 at half time and looked in real danger of defeat after the Sea Eagles took a one-goal lead into half time.
But the Islanders played more positive netball in the second half, and ramped up their defence, scoring 24-14 after the break to race away with victory.
Jess Gysberts, Lucy Monahan and Ella Duggan continue to be stars for the Doggies this year, while Tanika McCaughan never stops trying for the Sea Eagles.
Warragul Industrials remain in fifth place, but are closing in on higher honours after a 52-34 win over Kooweerup on Saturday.
The Dusties were a bit lethargic in the opening half, leading 21-16, but suddenly came to life in a dominant third-quarter display.
The home side scored 17-3 in the third quarter to break the game open and then cruised to victory against a more competitive Demons’ outfit in the final term.
April Bethune and Lara Commadeur were terrific for the Dusties while Taylah Simpson and Brooke Galante were great for the Demons in the final term.
And Dalyston did as expected and thumped a committed Garfield in the top versus bottom clash at Garfield.
The Magpies were at their most impressive in the second quarter, scoring 24 goals, and will head into this week’s clash against Nar Nar Goon with a two-game break on the rest of the competition.
Donna Marsh will be proud of her Stars who were outclassed but never stopped trying all day.
