Loss on back of three-week break

BLIGHTY 39 def PICOLA UNITED 28 Another tough day out for the ’Cutters BERRIGAN 26.12 (168) def MATHOURA 8.9 (57)

PICOLA United’s A grade netball side has lost to Blighty 28-39 in round seven of the Picola and District Netball League.

United went into the game searching for its third win of the season and looking to further cement itself inside the league’s top five teams.

But Blighty proved to be too strong and was able to come away with a nine-goal win.

Picola entered the game having not played a game since May 6 due to the interleague break and having the bye in round six.

And the lack of match sharpness was potentially an issue for United who fell to a third consecutive loss.

Picola will have a further rest this week, having been drawn to play Yarroweyah in round eight who are not fielding an A grade side this season. ■ Elsewhere in the Picola League Mathoura was comfortably beaten by Berrigan 63-32.

Both sides entered the game in poor form and struggling towards the bottom of the ladder; Mathoura yet to win a game in 2017.

And the struggle to find quality form continued for Mathoura as it was smashed by 31 goals in a game it could have realistically hoped to take another win from.

Now with one win from its first six games, Mathoura will face Jerilderie next Saturday again looking to put its run of losses behind it. FOR A second consecutive week Mathoura has been thrashed in the Picola and District Football League.

The Timbercutters went into the game needing to improve on a disappointing effort against Strathmerton, but were blown away early by a talented Berrigan side who took victory 26.12 (168) to 8.9 (57).

Berrigan asserted itself on the contest right from the opening bounce, and raced to quarter-time leading 8.2 (50) to 2.2 (14).

And another eight-goal term followed, defensively Mathoura unable to stop a rampant Berrigan who had cracked 100 points in a single half of football.

Berrigan went to half-time leading by 65 points with the Timbercutters again staring at a big defeat.

They improved defensively to limit the scoring somewhat, but still trailed by 85 points at three-quartertime.

And despite the game being well and truly won, Berrigan kept adding to Mathoura’s misery and ran up the score to take the 111-point win.

Thomas Irvine was the leading man up forward for the Saints with six goals, Lachlan Pyle and Jake Dalgleish both adding three each.

Jake Ellery, Callum HardinDavies and Phil Hazelman each kicked two for Mathoura, with Jack Keogh, Daniel Barwick and Rhys Costello all among the best players.

Mathoura is now 1-5 through its first six games of the season, but should it find a way to turn its form around is just two games outside finals contention.

It has a great opportunity to grab a second win for the season next weekend when it hosts Jerilderie on their home ground.

Jerilderie was smashed by 82 points by the Deniliquin Rovers on Saturday, and like Mathoura has just one win so far this season.

DRAWS

(Claudia Mawson, Betty McCoomb); Court 2, S1/2 Bragson v Yeahman (Lily Hinson, Emily Crocker); Court 6, S3 Victorious Secret v Chalkies (Tiah D’Angri, Kasey Conder).

Wednesday’s mixed draw 6.30pm: Court 1, S1/2 Sharon Strezleckis v Plastered Penguins (Claudia Mawson, Jen Sullivan); Court 6, S3/4 Derivative v Shaft (Kasey Conder, Tiah D’Angi); Court 7, S1/2 Ceres v Funky Bunch (Rohan Starkey, Brenda Stenning). 7.30pm: Court 1, S3/4 Sober v Jam Donuts (Jen Sullivan, Jess Gledhill); Court 6, S1/2 No Frills v Phoenix (Brenda Stenning, Tiah D’Angri); Court 7, S3/4 Simonds v The Specialists (Claudia Mawson, Kasey Conder); Bye, Family Ties.