PERENNIAL finalists Ouyen United gave their SFNL A Grade finals hopes a major boost at the Brian Weightman Oval courts with a solid 43-28 victory over hosts Imperials in tricky conditions.
It was a scrappy battle of defences between the two sides, who went into the encounter with identical 2-4-1 records and tied for seventh on the table.
Blustery conditions led to a large amount of turnovers at both ends of the court.
However, the Kangas managed the fickle breeze and stingy defence better and turned a four-goal halftime lead into a 15-goal win at the final horn.
Ouyen United coach Kyra Nathan was more than happy to net the valuable four points, which keep her team well within reach of the top four.
“I think we are just starting to settle our side, so we have a bit more consistency and we are starting to play full quarters now instead of five-minute spurts,” Nathan said.
“I just hope that the draw we had against South Mildura and those two dropped points don’t come back to bite us now,” she said of an impending tight fight in the second half of the season for top-four berths.
“We just have to keep winning. We play Wentworth next and match-up really well with them. We just have to make finals and then anything can happen.”
Consistent performers Tsharni Burns and Catherine Brown were named the Kangas’ best, while Tracey Sherlock and Caitlyn Wood claimed the honours for Imps, who face a tough road ahead to make the playoffs.
– Tym Glaser
