Red Cliffs’ Jorja Parker ready to shut down a pass from Wentworth’s Nat Vercher. Picture: Sarah Buchecker
Injury scare the only worry for Wenty
THE Wentworth juggernaut rolled on at Quandong Park, where the high-rolling Roos put Red Cliffs to the sword by 57 goals.
In another elite team performance, the Roos were best served by goal shooter Lizzie Rowe, captain Christie Becker and powerhouse defender Courtney Wakefield.
The only concern for the defending premiers, who remain unbeaten since the 2019 grand final, was star goal keeper Nat Vercher going down with a leg injury midway through the last quarter.
Coach Amanda Edwards, however, said Vercher was only subbed off as a precaution.
“Nat’s alright. It’s just a twinge, I think. A little bit of a stinger,” she said.
It was a case of too big, too strong, too fast for the Roos, but the young Tigers did show glimpses of quality.
Centre Jacqulyn Bell and goal shooter Jazmin Parker did their best to halt the landslide win.
Edwards was delighted with the consistently good work rate of her team over the four quarters and gave a nod to her attacking partner-in-crime.
“I thought Liz Rowe did amazingly well today. She stood up and had a cracking game,” the playing coach said.
“Defensively, you can’t outdo Christie and Courtney. Their rebounding today was great.
“I regard our defenders as the toughest in the league.
“We train against them every week, which is hard enough, so I wouldn’t want to play against them,” Edwards added with a smile.
The Tigers remain winless this season.
– Matt Taylor
Swallows stay in the hunt
IN a game filled to the brim with incredible feats of athleticism, Irymple kept touch with the four with a 50-43 victory over a spirited Robinvale Euston at John James Oval.
The Eagles brought the margin to just two goals late in the game, but conceded multiple interceptions late as they pushed for victory.
Indi Spratt continued her ascent as one of the best young players in the competition with an outstanding performance at GA.
Her opposite number, Georgia Giofrelle, did likewise at the opposite end of the court, with her shooting ability from all angles a real feature.
When it counted, Irymple were cleaner with possession, and the passing ability of Shakara Delcastegne and McKenzie Ryan worked wonders for Spratt and Meg Hammond.
Young defender Lily Droffelaar continues improve at A Grade level, with her inclusion allowing the flexibility to play Ryan in attack.
Outside of her customary centre role, the Eagles’ Taneh Romeo provided an agile target, while Mia Doherty covered the court superbly.
– Mitch Rodd
Picture: Paula Mastrippolito
Pies prevail in ‘heart attack’ finish
MERBEIN kept their finals hopes alive with a one-goal victory over South Mildura at the Mildura Sporting Precinct courts.
In a keen battle between third-placed South and the visiting Magpies, nesting sixth on the table, little separated the sides throughout a match played in finally pleasurable conditions.
That was borne out by a maximum two-point lead at any of the breaks. And while Merbein looked like snapping the game open in the third and final quarters with five-point advantages, the final scoreline of 40-39 was a fair reflection of a most competitive battle.
Magpie coach Breigh Hammet was more than a little relieved to snare the win and four valuable points against fellow finals hopefuls.
“It sounds really silly, but I think the (Merbein) players thought the season was over so they played with no pressure and just heart and soul,” Hammet said.
“The seven played all four quarters and they went at everything. I’m really proud of them. I had a heart attack at the end because it was only decided by one goal, but I’m really happy today.”
Meanwhile, Bulldogs coach Sally Moore was also impressed by her charges.
“We came back from five-goal margins in the final two quarters, so they have got the fight in them,” Moore said of a team which lost star defender Morna Naquto early in the game to what appeared to be a knee injury.
“This part of the season is really tough now, we are getting tired and don’t have the bye for a couple of weeks yet … but it happens in all sports, that’s just part of the cycle,” Moore, whose side remains in third, said.
Meanwhile, Merbein improved their record to 6-5 but are still on the outside looking in at the top four. Best on court for the victors went to Zali McMonnies and Olivia Bowden while Sharne Layne and Raquel Ban were named the hosts’ top performers.
– Tym Glaser
All tied up at Ouyen
HOME side Ouyen United drew with Mildura, 48-all.
We’ll have more on this match in Monday’s Sunraysia daily.
