Thrilling games as Nilma win A grade
Two games went into overtime as six different clubs scored wins in the qualifying finals at Neerim South on Saturday.
A grade: Nilma Darnum defeated Trafalgar 37-32
Trafalgar started off strong, scoring most of the goals for the first quarter. Nilma Darnum were competitive in their defence end, with Stacey Lawry coming on at goal keeper to shut down Trafalgar’s shooting end. However, Nilma were unable to convert these turnovers into goals.
Trafalgar’s wing defence Tara Potts also brought her defensive game, with Trafalgar up 11-6 at quarter time.Nilma Darnum started off strong in the second, scoring most of the goals for the quarter. Trafalgar still fought hard, causing some turnovers, but were unable to score from them.
Nilma Darnum’s shooters Gabrielle Paynter and Melanie Cook were unstoppable, ending the quarter with Trafalgar up by just one, 19-18.
Both teams came out firing in the third quarter, with Nilma Darnum managing to level the scores and keep it an interesting game. Nilma Darnum’s wing defence Madlyn Borsato helped to shut down Trafalgar’s shooting end, leading to Nilma Darnum gaining a seven-goal lead by the last change, 33-26.
Trafalgar’s goal shooter Danielle Davis scored most of Trafalgar’s goals in the final quarter, but it was simply not enough to close the gap between the sides. Nilma Darnum came away with a five-goal win.
Umpires awarded best on court to Nilma Darnum defender Stacey Lawry.
B grade: Buln Buln defeated Trafalgar 56-53 Trafalgar had an amazing start, scoring the first three goals, before goal attack Lia Daley went down with an injury. Trafalgar stayed strong throughout the quarter, with amazing grabs from goal keeper and goal defence Ashlea Farmer and Imogen Smith.
Buln Buln struggled to convert with lots of ball time in Trafalgar’s shooting end. They held in with seven goals to Trafalgar’s 16.
Buln Buln started off strong in the second quarter, scoring the first three goals. It was a more competitive quarter, with Buln Buln closing the gap to just four goals.
Buln Buln’s goal defence Anna Doberer stood out in this quarter, with Trafalgar up 2521 at half-time.
The third quarter started out goal-for-goal, with Buln Buln scoring three in a row late into the quarter to bring the score back to 33-35. Buln Buln wing defence Bonnie Savage got some game-changing intercepts at Trafalgar’s centre pass and Buln Buln’s goal keeper Danielle Bridger was playing a strong game. Trafalgar’s Ashlea Farmer kept up the strong defence in goal keeper, helping to level out the scores.
The fourth quarter also started out goal-forgoal. Trafalgar’s goal shooter Cassandra Wass went down towards the end of the quarter, giving Buln Buln the opportunity to score three in a row. This saw the game even closer, ending in a 44-44 draw and overtime required.
Overtime kicked off with Buln Buln continuing a strong game. Their shooters put on an outstanding performance to bring home the three-goal win.
Umpires awarded best on court to Buln Buln centre Lauren Eastwell.
C grade: Longwarry defeated Nilma Darnum 40-33
Longwarry won the toss, which they immediately scored from. At the return to the centre pass, Longwarry’s Rebecca Gay took a fall and was taken off court with a head injury.
Many midcourt turnovers followed, and a second goal to Longwarry. A third and fourth goal followed, before Nilma Darnum finally scored a goal.
Three goals followed this for Nilma Darnum, with a strong defensive side. Any turnovers were coming from the midcourt, with a lot of back and forth between both sides. It was 8-8 at quarter time.
Longwarry gained the first two goals of this quarter. A collision of players in Nilma Darnum’s goal third resulted in both players coming off injured. This started a run of six goals for Longwarry, before Nilma Darnum got their first for the quarter.
Longwarry’s centre Debbie Hickford alongside wing attack Tori Dorning dominated, with great turnovers and beautiful feeding into their goalers. Vickie Stephens took control of the game, strengthening Longwarry’s midcourt. The half-time score 20-12 reflected Longwarry’s amazing play.
Nilma Darnum came out strong in the third, scoring two goals in a row. They slowly started to come back, edging their way forward. However, Longwarry scored five goals.
Some costly errors due to pressure and strong defence from Nilma Darnum’s Hayley Heatley and Stephanie Meharry saw Longwarry fade off. The ball was in Nilma Darnum’s shooting end more often, with Kaylee Trickey shooting all the goals for Nilma for the quarter.
Nilma Darnum scored first in the fourth, followed by a held pass for Longwarry. An eruption from supporters resulted in another two goals to Nilma Darnum.
Both teams started to look tired, which saw many silly footwork errors. It was a goal-forgoal until the final three minutes when Longwarry came back firing, their goal shooter Jenni Law unstoppable.
Umpires awarded best on court to Longwarry goal defence Vickie Stephens.
Under 17s: Poowong defeated Ellinbank 58-56
It was a tight start to the game, with accurate shooting from Poowong giving them the lead 14-11 at quarter time.
There were lots of turnovers down the court from both teams, alongside tight contests. With both sides fighting hard for every goal, Poowong still led 23-21 at half-time.
There were great passages of play from Poowong, alongside tight defence. This forced errors from Ellinbank. Poowong increased their lead going into the final break, 35-29.
It was another tight contest in the final quarter as each team forced errors on the other. They took their opportunities to score as the game finished in a nail-biting final draw.
Overtime commenced, with defence strong across the court. This made all players accountable for no errors. It was still a draw after 12 minutes, resulting in double overtime.
Poowong gained the two-goal lead needed to end the game.
Umpires awarded best on court to Poowong wing attack Emma Henshall.
Under 15s: Trafalgar defeated Buln Buln 27-24
Trafalgar got the first break, as both teams took time to settle the finals nerves with many turnovers. Trafalgar took the lead late in the quarter, leaving Buln Buln quite rattled. Trafalgar led by four at quarter time.
Buln Buln came out firing, determined to get two turnovers in order for them to gain the lead. However, a few missed goals gave Trafalgar plenty of opportunity.
With some amazing turnovers by Buln Buln, they were one goal behind Trafalgar in the middle of the quarter. At half-time, Trafalgar was up by three, maintaining their lead nicely.
Some great defence from Buln Buln saw Trafalgar’s shooters throwing away important passes. However, Trafalgar still lead by four heading into the fourth quarter.
Buln Buln became desperate for a break, scoring the first goal. It was still anyone’s game going into the last minutes, with Buln Buln only down by two. However, Trafalgar held on to win by three goals.
Umpires awarded best on court to Trafalgar goal attack Tillie Manfield.
Under 13s: Nyora defeated Longwarry 29-21
The game started with turnovers by both teams, before Nyora settled for the first goal. Longwarry responded with a quick goal before Nyora took control to lead 9-4 at the first break.
Longwarry came out stronger in the second quarter, reducing the margin to two. An injury to the Longwarry goal attack forced some changes to their attacking end.
Some great defensive pressure by Nyora allowed them to open up another five-goal lead at half-time, 15-10.
Nyora had the upper hand in the third quarter, moving the ball well down the court and feeding their shooters beautifully. They finished the quarter with a commanding 12-goal lead, 26-14.
Longwarry again came out strong in the final quarter, reducing the margin to seven at one stage before Nyora were able to score. It would become too much for Longwarry, with Nyora taking home the win. Umpires awarded best on court to Nyora centre Leah Kirkbride.