Gulls show improvement
Warragul continued to show improvement against Morwell on Good Friday. Highlights were a win in C grade and one-goal loss in the 17 and under encounter.
A grade: Warragul 31 lost to Morwell 70.
Warragul went into its second round match full of confidence despite being without goal attack Anna Green.
Ebony Wall stepped into goal attack and provided some great movement and support for Jaime Rollinson. After a relatively even first quarter, Morwell lead 14-9.
During the second quarter, Morwell showed class and experience with a polished performance by all seven players. The new Warragul combination struggled to get the ball into the circle.
Morwell shot 23 goals and stretched the lead to 20 goals by half-time, 37-17.
The Gulls regrouped and, although they were still outscored during the third quarter, Morwell found it more difficult to get the ball into the circle due to wonderful defensive work by Lucy Monahan and Cara McIntosh. In centre, Hayley Roberts continued the strong form she showed last week.
Morwell finish the game as strongly as they started. The Warragul girls continued to give their all, but were outplayed by a very skilled opposition.
Award winners: Hayley Roberts, Lucy Monahan and Alex Cole.
B grade: Warragul 32 lost to Morwell 43.
Down one key defender, Warragul got off to a slow start and by half-time Morwell had a lead of 17 goals.
Warragul set out in the third quarter with one aim - to win that quarter. A sensational effort by the Gulls saw them not only achieve that aim but reduce Morwell's lead to just 10 goals.
The final 15 minutes saw excellent defensive pressure across the court by all. Unfortunately, Morwell's strong first half was too much to overcome and saw them come out as winners.
It was a hard-fought effort by an improving B grade side.
Awards: Olivia Brady, Mulqueen and April Heenan.
C grade: Warragul 26 defeated Morwell 16.
The wet and slippery conditions prevented either team from playing their best. However, Warragul played better Chiara as a team and showed skills from the previous week’s win.
Kim Weller and Georgia Lyons took out the awards. Kim showed second and third efforts in goals, where the weather made scoring difficult.
Georgia was relentless in midcourt, with her movement and ball use giving Warragul’s goalers many opportunities. Her constant defensive work and intercepts allowed the defenders to move the ball down to the attackers.
17 and Under: Warragul 19 lost to Morwell 20.
Conditions were much cooler for the second round. As the weather deteriorated, there were a number of mistakes from both teams. It was a relatively even first quarter, Morwell led 7-5 at quarter time.
Lizzie Bayley came into goals for her first game with Warragul. After a short period of adjustment, she was an excellent target for the Warragul midcourt. Emily Sandman came into wing defence and continued the strong form shown by her in round one. After a good second quarter, scores were tied 14-14.
Warragul’s good form continued in the third quarter with some great defence restricting Morwell to only one goal. This allowed Warragul to push out to a four-goal lead, 19-15.
Unfortunately, Warragul was unable to maintain the standard in the last quarter. Although they continued to work hard, a few costly mistakes allowed Morwell to bridge the gap. The strong Morwell defence prevented Warragul from scoring and Morwell claimed the match 20-19.
West Gippsland league played the second half of its split round on Saturday.
A grade: Cora Lynn 47 def Inverloch Kongwak 45, Dalyston 82 def Kilcunda Bass 18, Koo Wee Rup 56 def Phillip Island 19.
B grade: Cora Lynn 46 def Inverloch Kongwak 40, Dalyston 71 def Kilcunda Bass 27, Phillip Island 41 def Koo Wee Rup 37.
C grade: Cora Lynn 43 def Inverloch Kongwak 34, Dalyston 66 def
Awards: Emily Sandman, Bayley and Indya Fries.
15 and Under: Warragul 20 lost to Morwell 27.
This game was very tight and competitive. By the end of the third quarter, Warragul’s strongest quarter, the Gulls were down by two goals.
Warragul’s defence was very strong throughout the game, getting intercepts and stopping many goals. This defence put a lot of pressure on Morwell’s attacking end. It was a great game by the Warragul girls despite Morwell getting the win.
Awards: Stacie Meyers, Elodie Williamson, Clair Lear and Jacinta Bagot.
13 and Under: Warragul 6 lost to Morwell 22.
Clearly enjoying playing in the cool but sunny conditions, the Gulls started strong against an in-form Morwell.
They stuck with them for most of the first half before matching them again in the last. It was unfortunate that the game snuck away during the third.
There were promising signs with youngster Lucy Williamson showing good voice and making good decisions on court. Emily Hobbs was one of the best, showing a high level of skill and good decision making as a shooter and in attack. Jasmin Porch was also in the best after showing excellent run through the centre as well as being strong around the goals.
While the Gulls didn't manage a win, they walk away stronger than last week and confident ongoing improvements will see the building of a strong team over the season. Lizzie Kilcunda Bass 16, Koo Wee Rup 48 def Phillip Island 20.
17 and Under: Inverloch Kongwak 49 def Cora Lynn 32, Dalyston 53 def Kilcunda Bass 13, Phillip Island 26 def Koo Wee Rup 21.
15 and Under: Inverloch Kongwak 28 def Cora Lynn 27, Dalyston 30 def Kilcunda Bass 21, Phillip Island 53 def Koo Wee Rup 3.
13 and Under: Cora Lynn 29 def Inverloch Kongwak 9, Phillip Island 28 def Koo Wee Rup 9.