Gulls fly to fourth in B grade

A grade: Maffra 45 def Warragul 39, Drouin 58 def Leongatha 33, Morwell 60 def Wonthaggi Power 42, Bairnsdale 50 def Sale 39, Moe 60 def Traralgon 50.

B grade: Warragul 48 def Maffra 42, Drouin 54 def Leongatha 33, Morwell 40 def Wonthaggi Power 38, Sale 37 def Bairnsdale 30, Traralgon 56 def Moe 32.

C grade: Maffra 44 def Warragul 27, Drouin 36 def Leongatha 19, Wonthaggi Power 53 def Morwell 28, Sale 49 def Bairnsdale 31, Traralgon 30 def Moe 29.

Under 17: Maffra 75 def Warragul 33, Leongatha 39 def Drouin 31, Wonthaggi Power 45 def Morwell 31, Bairnsdale 47 def Sale 46, Moe 44 def Traralgon 31.

Under 15: Maffra 50 def Warragul 33, Drouin 55 def Leongatha 28, Wonthaggi Power 36 def Morwell 27, Sale 39 def Bairnsdale 23, Moe 53 def Traralgon 21.

Under 13: Maffra 48 def Warragul 14, Leongatha 43 def Drouin 8, Wonthaggi Power 36 def Morwell 8, Sale 54 def Bairnsdale 9, Traralgon 25 def Moe 22.

The Gulls faced tough opposition in Maffra, with B grade gaining an important win to sit fourth on the ladder. A grade: Warragul 39 lost to Maffra 45. In beautiful conditions for netball down in Maffra, the Gulls welcomed back two girls from injury, Hayley Roberts and Rachael Chandler. Both girls played without signs of any niggles.

The returns allowed the Gulls to rotate the midcourt, providing fresh legs which they haven’t had in recent weeks.

With a defender down, the game was in the balance from the outset. Maffra took a marginal lead early and held onto it throughout.

The Gulls worked tirelessly and pegged the margin back numerous times – even getting it back to three goals in the last quarter. However, Maffra held strong to win by six. B grade: Warragul 48 defeated Maffra 42. It was a slow start for Warragul who were four goals down halfway through the first quarter.

With consistent defensive pressure down the court, the Gulls took the lead coming into half-time.

The defence end had some challenges but were able to create plenty of turnovers, allowing the attack end to keep adding to the scoreboard.

It was a great win for the Gulls who continue to show they are finals contenders. Award: Ellen Croft. C grade: Warragul 27 lost to Maffra 44.

The Gulls knew they had an almighty challenge ahead against top of the table and undefeated Maffra, but they went in full of optimism.

The versatility of the team shone through, with Kim Weller playing in goal keeper and Tanya Barr running the centre for the first half.

This allowed younger goalers Claire Sandman and Lizzy Bailey to be reunited in the ring. These two worked well together and were complimented by the drive and feeding offered by Hannah McKenzie in wing attack.

It was a particularly tough game for the defenders, but Weller, Sarah Hams and Matisse Olson never gave up. With the support of Emily Sandman in wing defence, they were able to take intercepts and even a few rebounds against a vertically blessed Maffra goal shooter.

Despite being comfortably beaten, the Gulls took a lot out of the game and are looking forward to taking on Sale this weekend. Awards: Sarah Hams and Tanya Barr. Under 17: Warragul 33 lost to Maffra 75. The Gulls showed some great improvement as a team.

Georgia Hams was consistently out for every centre pass and gave plenty of opportunity in the goal circle.

The girls never gave up and kept trying until the final whistle.

Awards: Indy fries, Georgia Hams and Abby Vanrossom.

Under 15: Warragul 33 lost to Maffra 50.

On a perfect day for netball, Ella Weir really stepped up when faced with a new position and Jaz Porch was the best on court with her consistently in defence.

Bella Hefford, Laura Miller and Emily Hobbs worked the ball steadily down the court. Liv Sheehan and Bridie Mulqueen both played strong games in goals with great accuracy.

Zoe Phillips and Jacinta Bagot worked well together in defence.

Awards: Jaz Porch, Ella Weir and Liv Sheehan. Under 13: Warragul 14 lost to Maffra 48. The youngest Gulls took the court with eagerness, pumped for a great game following some serious bonding on the trip to Maffra.

A good start it was, with the Gulls scoring first and then maintaining an even first quarter until the Eagles kicked away.

With a team that had seven players that could each play equally well in various positions, it was another tough day at the office for the Gulls. However, some solid improvements and good performances on the day were important takeaways.

As always, coaches Green and Cole were excellent with the girls and the ever-happy little Gulls left the court with big smiles and happiness that they presented as well as they did.

Awards: Pippa Cook, Tia Jenkins and Charlotte Bundle with a special mention to number one supporter Leni Pyle.