Bairnsdale moved into the top five of “A” grade Gippsland League netball when it overcame a persistent Sale in round seven action at the Sale Oval.
After an even first term which saw the Redlegs leaders by just one goal at the break, they upped the tempo and the pressure in the second stanza, opening up a handy four-goal advantage at half time.
Myah Healey (16 goals) and Anna Mooney (25) were good presenting targets for Bairnsdale as were Kate Van Der Voort (29) and Tash Bedggood (10) for the Magpies.
Sale came out with a new-found purpose in the third term, challenging the Redlegs with run, carry and precise passing, winning the quarter convincingly and drawing within just one goal.
With a spot in the top five up for grabs, Bairnsdale responded like the coaching staff hoped it would, playing its best netball of the match in a tense final term, showing plenty of composure late for a four-goal victory.
Leading the way for Bairnsdale were again the dynamic duo of Alison Dwyer and Paris Dunkley, while Sophie Scott continues to impress.
Best players for the home side were Ashleigh Keefe, Hannah Abdalla and Lara Ven Der Voort.
The match of the day was in “B” grade, which ended in a 46-46 draw.
Interestingly both teams were chasing their initial victory of the season and the momentum seesawed throughout the contest.
After a dominant third term where they outscored the Magpies by 12-8, the Redlegs opened the final term with a three-goal advantage, only to be run down in the final moments by a side just as desperate for a win.
Credit to both sides for the way they played in the final term, with the quality of play certainly the best of the match with plenty at stake.
Mia Ballinger was a standout for Bairnsdale against her old side, while Remy Clarke impressed shooting 30 goals.
It was another competitive contest in “C” grade with Bairnsdale turning a one-goal three quarter time lead into a three-goal victory.
The Redlegs are now a game clear of the fifth ranked side in fourth spot, with Annora Virgo (18) and veteran Renee Scicluna (14) steady under the ring down the stretch.
Katie Pearce, Tahlia Chila and Danielle Johnson were all in great form for the Redlegs.
Bairnsdale continued its outstanding start to the season in the under 17 competition, maintaining its unbeaten run with a 25-goal demolition of the Magpies, who also went into the match unbeaten.
The Redlegs were on fire in the first half, opening up a seven-goal buffer by quarter time which they extended to 20 by half time in an exceptional half of netball, played with precision and speed.
The Magpies showed their true ability in an even third term before Bairnsdale finished full of running, making a significant statement with another unbeaten outfit Traralgon firmly in their sights.
Eva Sabell (29), Ballinger (19) and Ava Langley (14) were ruthless shooting, with Olivia Pearson, Ballinger and Rahni O’Connor named in the best players.
The unbeaten Magpies were too slick and steady in the under 15 match, dominating the middle two quarters after nothing separated the sides at quarter time.
Sale had 16 goals to spare when the final siren sounded, with Chloe Allen, Emme Hadden and Lilly Fullgrabe among the best for Bairnsdale.
It was a similar result in the under 13s with Sale winning by 17 goals off the back of a 15-3 opening term.
Bairnsdale reverted to playing catch up, which is always a tough task when doing battle with quality opposition.
Isla Scicluna, Piper Crawley and Ayla Buckley all worked hard for the Redlegs in the final three quarters.
Bairnsdale will welcome Traralgon to the City Oval this Saturday for another huge round of Gippsland League netball with the under 17 match tipped to be the match of the day, as two good unbeaten teams go head-to-head.
THIS WEEK’S MATCHES
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
Drouin v Maffra; Moe v Warragul; Sale v Morwell; Bairnsdale v Traralgon; Leongatha v Wonthaggi.
FEMALE FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND (Friday night)
Youth Girls: Warragul Industrials v Newborough; Traralgon v Bairnsdale; Drouin v Warranor; Sale City v Boisdale Briagolong; Morwell v Woodside; Nar Nar Goon v Dalyston.
JUNIOR ALL STARS (Monday at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve)
South Gippsland v Latrobe Valley; Eastern Gippsland v Western Gippsland.
