THINGS are starting to brighten for MFNL A Grade reigning premiers Nangiloc after a bleak start to their title defence.
From winless after five rounds and their title hopes hanging by a thread, Ginine Sluiter’s side has won three of its past four games and has pushed into the top four.
The latest win came at the weekend at home over Cardross, who had been in impressive early season form and remain the only side to take points off top side Bambill this season – in a draw.
The Demons jumped out to a fast start against the Lions and built on their lead at each change to run away with an impressive 62-35 triumph.
Nangy are 10 points behind third-placed Cardy on the ladder but there is plenty of time left in the season to haul in that margin and maybe even push for a top two finish, as unlikely as that seemed only a month ago.
Sluiter and Amber King were again among the host team’s best along with Shayna Saunders while centre Bronte Burgess, Georgia Leutner and Lily Thompson got the nods for Cardross.
The top sides on the ladder, undefeated Bambill and 6-3 Werrimull, comfortably completed the tasks set before them with victories over Meringur and Gol Gol respectively.
At Alcheringa, the Magpies had an all-the-way win over the Hawks. A three-goal lead at the first break extended to 11 at the half and Werrimull were able to go into cruise mode in the second half on their way to a final scoreline of 49-35 over the league’s bottom side.
Chelsea Newey was best on court and received plenty of support from Maddison Maher and Brooke Watson.
Ally Stanborough, consistent Jarae Johnson and Abbey Curran got the nod for the 1-8 Hawks, who have battled gamely this season but just can’t put a full four quarters together.
The Saints had a similar margin of victory at the Lake against the Kangaroos.
They also were not headed during their clash and won 65-50 to maintain a healthy 10-point margin at the top of the table.
Tessa Houkamau got the three votes for Bambill followed by Roanna Gathercole and Tayla Davison-Amao.
For Meringur, who slipped out of the top four, the honours went to Madelyn McPhee, Emily Birch and star winger Christina Villiva.
