Ladder leaders meet
Harrow-balmoral will play host to Natimuk United in a meeting of Horsham District A Grade netball premiership contenders on Saturday.
Natimuk United and Laharum, last season’s grand finalists, and Harrow-balmoral have formed a clearcut top three as the season nears its halfway point.
The Ewes and Demons are undefeated, while the Roos’ sole loss was to Laharum in round five.
With Laharum out of action with a bye this round, all eyes will be on the Roos and Ewes.
The reigning premiers were given a tough test by Kalkee at the weekend, with the Kees opening up a four-goal lead by half-time.
Down by three goals at the final break it looked as if Natimuk United’s winning streak would finally come to an end, but a huge 11-goal last quarter from Shannon Couch and a stifling defence led by Casey Vanstan and Jo Taylor produced a stunning 15-goalsto-four term.
It was a miraculous comeback for the Ewes, who remain behind Laharum on percentage only.
Harrow-balmoral had a much more straightforward time against Jeparit-rainbow, winning every quarter of the 65-30 triumph.
Rebecca Francis helped control the midcourt, leading to plenty of opportunities for goal shooter Amy Lewis, who finished with aplomb.
Tessa Marra and Bridget Mckenzie helped stem the bleeding at the defensive end for the Storm.
Jeparit-rainbow’s pursuit of a finals berth will be in jeopardy if it cannot find a way to win at Rupanyup on Saturday.
The Panthers are 1-5 this season but showed flashes of competitiveness in a 59-45 loss to Swifts in round seven.
Rupanyup’s Blair Burke was virtually her team’s only avenue to goal, netting 38 of her shots.
Swifts goal defence Sarah Morris did well to keep Burke’s parters Olivia Huebner and Tayla Morgan quiet, and Michaela Armer did plenty of damage at the other end of the court with 26 goals of her own.
The Baggies now take on Edenhope-apsley, which was on the wrong end of a 62-38 score against Laharum.
The Demons were in no mood for a close contest, creating a 17-goal lead by half-time and cantering to the finish line, with Maddie Iredell sinking 20 goals.
Zandria Malone was a driving force for Laharum at centre, getting the best of opponents Sarah Domaschenz and Kara Shuttleworth.
Goalie Ellie Thomas was the Saints’ top performer with 20 goals.
Noradjuha-quantong can give itself some breathing room in the top six if it defeats Kalkee at the weekend.
The Bombers overcame a spirited Taylors Lake to eventually win by 20 goals, with Lucy King prominent at goal attack and Georgia Francis working hard around the court.
Laker Ella Slorach had a good battle with King at goal defence and could hold her head high at the end of the game.
The Lakers, the league’s last winless team, will have a good opportunity to get on the board this week against Pimpinio, which is returning from the bye.