THE match of the round between Mildura and Irymple turned out to be an epic encounter as the Dees prevailed by just a goal.
The opening to Saturday’s game was an intense and even affair at Mildura Recreation Reserve.
Second-placed Mildura grabbed a narrow two-goal lead at quarter time in a period with several momentum swings.
In the second quarter, Mildura was able to produce the form befitting of a team with top-two credentials.
The Demons dominated this stanza outscoring fifth-placed Irymple by 11 goals to build a 13-goal halftime lead.
This dominance came about through strong defensive efforts from Kaitlyn Challis and coach Sharon Watson, quick ball movement through the centre third, and some sharp shooting by Zara Copley and Ava Zadow in goal.
Zadow moved from her normal defence position to Goal Attack to cover for absent playing co-coach Jess McNamara.
Irymple made some changes at halftime that had a good effect. Coach Tammie Rowe, who had spent the first half as a sub, inserted herself into the game as Wing Attack, a move that seemed to add some spark and an experienced head.
Irymple’s sidelined defender Kasey Caristo said after the game of Rowe’s efforts: “Tammie provided lots of options in our attack end, and her steadiness and calmness in the pressure moments were super important.”
On the back of the moves, Irymple scored six unanswered goals to start the third term.
Mildura regained some composure, but ultimately Irymple won the quarter by three goals to narrow the margin at the final break to 10 goals.
Irymple was able to replicate their third-quarter start and again scored six unanswered goals, putting them in the position of snatching an unlikely victory.
On the back of this momentum, the Swallows levelled the scores at 34 apiece with just minutes left to play. These final minutes were tight and tense. Both teams were feeling the pressure of the moments, but the Mildura team was able to close out the game with a one-goal victory.
Mildura co-coach Sharon Watson conceded after the game that her team has some things to work on after squandering a match-winning lead. “We got very lackadaisical. I think we thought we had it in the bag and didn’t keep applying the basics like we usually do,” she said.
Caristo was pleased with Irymple’s development.
“It was a super pleasing effort. A massive change from the last time we played them, when we lost by 20 goals or more,” she said.
“To chip away and only go down by one goal shows we didn’t give up and were really determined to have a good crack today.”Imps hold firm
Sixth-placed Imperials stayed in the hunt for a finals berth after fending off a spirited challenged by winless Robinvale Euston at John James Ovals on Saturday.
Meg McManus and Laci McHugh led the way for the Green Machine in their 45-35 triumph.
Imperials coach Deb Scott said her team did a “fantastic job” in keeping the tenacious Eagles at bay in the cold conditions.
“They kept it close, but to my girls’ credit, they didn’t panic and kept working the ball around well,” Rowe said.
“The team is really starting to gel and trusting in what each other’s doing.
“We’re very capable to matching the top teams on the run home to finals.”
Eagles coach Maria Falvo said there was “clear improvement” in her team, despite sitting in last spot with an 0-11 win-loss record.
“We lost by 15 goals to them last time, so today showed we’re improving,” said Falvo, whose team was best served by Shakira Hingano and Corinne Best.
“Even though we haven’t won yet this season, we’ve been competitive and the girls are still having lots of fun.
“We’ll get there eventually,” she added with a big smile.Mazza a marvel
Ouyen United got the jump on Merbein in the opening quarter which ultimately proved the difference in a 56-44 win on Saturday.
Holly Mazza was the star for Ouyen at the start. The former Merbein junior shot 15 of her 39 goals in the opening stanza.
Merbein fought back well to reduce the half-time margin back to seven goals, but the Kangas held a consistent 10-goal lead throughout the contest.
Kangas coach Kyra Nathan was happy to register a win after last week’s tough loss to Wentworth.
“It was a good game from us. We had great timing down the court in the first quarter and our zone defence was great, causing turnovers,” noted Nathan.
“We let Merbein back into the game in the second quarter. They lifted their intensity and had good pressure over the ball. We need to consolidate and push early leads out moving forward.”
The Kangas were seeing Gray at times, with the defensive duo of Allira and Johannah Gray being Merbein’s best.
“Johannah moved well and got her hands to the ball,” Nathan said.
Merbein coach Breigh Hammet rued her team’s poor start.
“We played chase-up netball, winning the second quarter (by four goals), but it was too great a deficit to catch up,” Hammet said.
In Saturday’s other game, fourth-placed South Mildura defeated Red Cliffs 46-33 indoors at Mildura Sporting Precinct.
Youngster Morna Naquto and Tayla Sellens starred for the Bulldogs, while Yelena Richardson and Steph O’Loughlin were the Tigers’ best.
