OUYEN United outlasted South Mildura in a sensational second half of Sunday’s elimination final, sealing a semi-final berth against Irymple this week with a 48-32 goal win over the Bulldogs.
It was South Mildura who started strongest, leading 12-9 at quarter-time and forcing the Kangas into nine turnovers in the opening term during a nervy start.
The long passes Ouyen United used early proved costly, with Maddison Jess shooting superbly to help the Bulldogs gain the lead.
It all changed in the second quarter, when Ouyen were able to get two runs of five consecutive goals.
South Mildura showed some ill-discipline, with Regan Zaxos being sent off for deliberate time delay, which created a massive change in momentum that the Bulldogs never recovered from.
The Kangas’ teenage shooter Maggie Smith settled into a groove under the post and her side started to control their possessions to have a four-goal lead at half-time.
As South started to make more errors, Smith and Casey Crothers lifted in the second half and the home side started to dictate terms at both ends of the court.
Smith scored 22 of Ouyen’s 24 goals after half-time, with the attack gelling and allowing her space under the post.
Ouyen United coach Kyra Nathan was relieved her side found their touch after a strong start by South Mildura.
“It was a tight start,” she said. “Both sides defended really well and I was worried when they got five goals up early in the second quarter.
“We could have lost the plot but we stayed patient, kept to the structures and pegged back the lead. Our defenders were getting the ball back for us and we just needed to capitalise on their work, which we did when we adjusted to our combinations.”
Nathan believes her side will match up well against Irymple, who will be smarting from a hard battle against Mildura.
Despite the loss, there was plenty of positive reflection from coach Tara Bate after the game.
“I was stoked with the effort the girls put in today,” she said.
“We were switched on at the start but the heat and wind kicked in and we started to make a few silly choices. Unfortunately we didn’t get the win but our girls put in their best effort and kept playing hard until the end.”
Bate spoke glowingly of the performances of Jess and mid-courter Alyse Ross, as well as the connection her side had created with lots of new parts added this season.
