Classy Dusties eliminate Bombers
A grade: Warragul Industrials 51 defeated Nilma Darnum 31.
Dusties began well, with full-court defensive pressure making Darnum’s scoring opportunities rare at best. Dusties took immediate advantage for a 13-7 lead at the first change.
This set the tone for the match as Darnum struggled to maintain possession. This allowed Dusties to take control of the game, establishing a 15-goal lead by half-time.
An injury to a key player and a lack of discipline from another did Nilma no favours, simply contributing to their woes as the game progressed. While the Dusties’ defence combinations outplayed at one end, their goalers showed dominance at the other to take a convincing 39-23 lead at the final break.
Showing greater class on the day, Dusties ran out easy winners by 20 goals.
Best on court: Dusties defender Stacey Lawry.
B grade: Warragul Industrials 55 defeated Longwarry 45.
Dusties started the match well with determination across the court and accuracy in their goaling. Longwarry worked hard to keep themselves in the game. They faced a 10-15 deficit at the first quarter break.
Both teams played a consistent second quarter, with Longwarry doing the better on the scoreboard. They reduced the margin to one goal at half-time.
Longwarry came out strong in the third to secure the lead at the beginning of the quarter. As the intensity grew, Dusties took advantage of their opportunities to regain the lead by three at the last change.
The combination of experience and youth worked well for Dusties overall. Their consistency across the four quarters rewarded them with a 10-goal win.
Best on court: Dusties goal attack Abbey Commadeur.
C grade: Warragul Industrials 35 defeated Buln Buln 29.
Dusties had a nervous start with Buln taking the early lead. However, Dusties managed to come back into it, closing out the quarter two goals behind.
Dusties took the lead early in the second, using their speed in the mid-court to their advantage. Buln fought back with an overall team effort to be one goal down at half-time.
Buln came out strongly in the third quarter, taking back the lead. A goal for goal match ensued for much of the quarter, until Dusties took the lead back late in the term. They led by three goals at the last change.
Dusties extended their lead, with strong team play and tight defence proving too strong for Buln to get back into the game. The final margin was six goals.
Best on court: Dusties goal keeper Hailey Hausfeld. D grade: Poowong 41 defeated Buln Buln 28. It was an even start to the game with both teams providing fast pace and accuracy. Poowong’s persistence in defence afforded them a healthy 11-6 lead at the end of the first.
Buln fought back well in the second term to reduce the margin to one during the period. However, Poowong gained the upper hand once more and held a four-goal lead at half-time.
Poowong were able to maintain their lead during the third. Missed opportunities by Buln denied them making inroads on the scoreboard, while Poowong extended their lead to eight by the last break.
Increased defensive efforts from Poowong continued to give them points on the board during the final quarter for a well-earned 13goal win.
Best on Macqueen.
E grade: Neerim-Neerim South 27 defeated Buln Buln 16.
The game began at a hectic pace as Neerim took an early lead. Buln retaliated with strong defensive pressure to level the scores at the first break.
The second quarter continued with even flow up and down the court, which reflected on the scoreboard. Buln’s shooting accuracy gave them a one-goal lead at half-time.
Good movement through the midcourt from Buln saw them score an early couple of goals, but Neerim rallied to level the score and return the game to a goal for goal encounter. Neerim were then able to take the lead for the first time and were three goals ahead at the last change.
Neerim took control early in the last, showing great confidence with three unanswered goals. A series of minor errors from Buln coupled with continued pressure saw Neerim create a strong lead. They continued to dominate the quarter for a great 11-goal win. Best on court: Neerim centre Mia Chandler. F grade: Buln Buln 16 defeated Poowong 13. After an unsteady start from both teams, Buln was first to settle and capitalised on a number of turnovers. Their attack gained momentum for a 7-2 lead at quarter time.
Poowong lifted its defensive pressure in the second quarter to create turnovers, but failed to convert on the scoreboard. The midcourt pressure and accurate shooting from both sides made for a more even period, with Buln holding a six-goal lead at half-time.
Poowong came out well in the third, scoring early goals. Accurate shooting and positional changes brought the margin back to two at the last change of ends.
Mounting pressure saw a number of unforced errors from both teams, and some scoring chances missed. The lead Buln had established early in the match proved too much for Poowong as they held on for three-goal victory.
Best on court: Buln Buln defender Lara Steenholdt. court: Poowong goaler Alex
2nd semi-finals Saturday: A grade: Ellinbank v Catani at 2.15pm. B grade: Ellinbank v Buln Buln at 1pm. C grade: Ellinbank v Longwarry at 12noon. D grade: Warragul Industrials v Ellinbank at 11am.
E grade: Poowong v Warragul Industrials at 10am.
F grade: Ellinbank v Warragul Industrials at 9am. at Darnum on
1st semi-finals at Buln Buln on Sunday: A grade: Poowong v Warragul Industrials at 2.15pm.
B grade: Poowong v Warragul Industrials at 1pm.
C grade: Nilma Darnum Industrials at 12noon. D grade: Longwarry v Poowong at 11am. E grade: Longwarry n Neerim-Neerim South at 10am.
F grade: Catani v Buln Buln at 9am. v Warragul