WERRIMULL fought back to claim a valuable victory over likely finals rivals Cardross with a gritty MFNL A Grade effort at the Lake.
The hosts needed a final quarter burst to eke out the 44-41 triumph and improve their record to 4-2 on the table, just two points behind the second-placed Lions (4-1-1).
After an even first quarter, Cardy broke away to a five-goal lead at the main break, but the Magpies managed to reduce that margin to just one at the final turn and set up a thrilling climax.
Werrimull then turned up their defence and held the Lions to seven goals while scoring 11 of their own to pocket a valuable victory.
Magpie centre Erin Sell was again in outstanding form and received crucial support when it mattered most from Chelsea Newey and Anna Thomson.
Cardross were again led by prolific shooter Tamara Hamence, Bronte Burgess and Lily Thompson, who consistently feature among the side’s best.
Apart from the Pies, another beneficiary of the Lions’ loss were ladder leaders Bambill, whose margin at the top extended to eight points after they accounted for last year’s premiers Nangiloc by 12 goals in a game that was tighter than the final scoreline suggests.
The Demons were only three down going into the final quarter, but the Saints poured in 15 goals while restricting Nangy to six.
Not surprisingly, the defensive duo of Tessa Houkamau and Breigh Hammet were again on the Bambill best list along with Roanna Gathercole in another solid team effort.
Amber King, Tamara Loveridge and Chloe Nelson stood out for the hosts, who are at the bottom of the standings with a 1-6 record but have shown marked improvement over the past few weeks and remain a chance to make the finals.
At Gol Gol, Meringur held a comfortable lead over the Hawks most of the day and emerged with a low-scoring 35-26 win to keep them in fourth spot.
That evened the Kangaroos’ record at 3-3 while Gol Gol share bottom place with the Demons – only behind on percentage.
Madelyn McPhee was named best on court and co-coach Susan Wilson and Christina Villiva were the Kangas other standouts while Jarae Johnson, Ally Stanborough and Emily Phillips were rated the Hawks’ top performers.
To complete round 6, Werrimull will host Meringur in the only game this King’s Birthday Weekend.
