WERRIMULL emerged the biggest winners from MFNL A Grade netball action at the weekend with an important victory at Cardross.
The comfortable 15-goal triumph saw the Magpies fly past the Lions and into second place and, with three regular season games to go, move into prime position – for now – to claim the double chance behind minor premiers Bambill.
That situation may not last for long as they come up against the Saints on Saturday while Cardy face bottom side Gol Gol and those positions could flip-flop again on a very fluid table in which four teams are still in the fight for the final three finals places.
In a tight battle early, Werrimull held a three-goal lead at half-time before piling on 34 goals in the second half while Cardross were restricted to 22.
Jolene Neyland, Chelsea Newey and Brooke Watson led the way for the Pies while consistent shooter Tamara Hamence, Lily Thompson and first-year coach Bronte Burgess were among the Lions’ best.
At the Mildura Senior College courts, Bambill dented late-charging Nangiloc’s hopes of joining them in the top two with a hard-fought 52-47 win over the reigning champs, who had won five of their six previous games after a horror start to the season.
The Saints led all day, but the Demons just wouldn’t go away and even outscored the hosts in the final two quarters before losing 52-47.
The defeat leaves the Dees eight points behind second-placed Werrimull, which will now be extremely hard to make up and they are equal on the ladder with fifth-placed Meringur, but with a vastly superior goal difference, which could prove decisive.
Bambill’s Roanna Gathercole was anointed best on court with great assistance from Maddy Tormey and Erin Hird. Chloe Nelson, Holly Mills and shooter Amber King stood out for Nangi.
Meringur kept their finals hopes alive and kicking with a solid if unspectacular 43-31 win over strugglers Gol Gol at the Lake.
The Kangaroos jumped out to a nine-goal lead at the first break but were unable to advance their edge much from that point as the Hawks held their own.
Regular performers Emily Birch, Christina Villiva and Zannah Harmer stood out for the Roos. Gol Gol’s Zoe Black, Katie Abriani and footy coach Jasmin Pohlner battled it out for the one-win Hawks.
