Bairnsdale kept its season alive in Gippsland League netball with a hard-fought victory over Leongatha in round 12 action at the Leongatha Recreation Reserve.
The sixth placed Redlegs went into the clash trailing the fifth-ranked Parrots by four points and percentage, but after claiming the 52-48 victory they trail by only percentage and have a belief they are at least the fifth best team in the competition.
A solid start from the Redlegs saw them leaders by one goal at quarter time, but a disappointing drop in momentum allowed the Parrots a five-goal lead at half time as Bairnsdale looked to have blown a huge opportunity to make a season-defining statement.
The third quarter was evenly contested with neither side able to gain any ascendancy, the Parrots maintaining the five-goal advantage with a quarter to play.
In a dominant last term fight back the Redlegs reduced the margin then overran their opponents to win by four goals off the back of a sensational 17-8 burst.
Ruby Dunkley, Anna Mooney (34 goals) and Sally Deller (18) were all outstanding for Redlegs in what could be a season-defining victory.
“B” grade was a David versus Goliath clash, the winless Redlegs taking on the unbeaten ladder leader and after being blown off the court and trailing by 12 goals at quarter time, Bairnsdale was competitive for the remainder of the match.
Remy Clarke (26), Brielle Malady and Sophie Bills were all solid contributors in the 60-38 loss.
It was another solid effort in “C” grade with the fifth-rated Redlegs going down by 10 goals to a strong Parrots line up that has tasted defeat just once for the season.
Leongatha was stronger in the first half, opening up a nine-goal advantage by half time, but a momentum shift in the second half saw Bairnsdale take the match right up to home side, trading goals and looking every bit as good.
Tiana Andrews (10) was reliable in attack, combining well with Annora Virgo (21), while Chelsea Wellman led the defence with poise.
A consistent four quarter performance saw the unbeaten Redlegs carry on their impressive season, running out easy 15-goal victors over the finals contending Parrots.
Olivia Pearson, Maizy Duck, Rahni O’Connor and Kiara Irish all impressed for Bairnsdale, who just keep getting the job done.
Eve Sabell impressed in the semi circle slotting 26 goals.
Plenty at stake in the under 15 contest with the the sixth-placed Redlegs needing the four points to stay in touch with the top five, but it wasn’t to be, the seventh-ranked Parrots having all the answers late.
It was a game of momentum swings, the Redlegs starting the game well with great defensive pressure all over the court, leading by four goals at the first change.
Leongatha pegged the margin back to a single goal at half time after the breaks in the second term went their way.
A third quarter fade out allowed Leongatha to take control, scoring 10 goals to three to open a six-goal advantage.
Despite the Redlegs rallying hard in the fourth, they could only get within four goals at the match’s conclusion.
Best players for the Redlegs were Chloe Allen (16), Emme Hadden and Lillian Preston. Lily Fullgrabe also impressed shooting 14 goals.
The unbeaten Parrots made light work of the fourth-ranked Redlegs in the under 13 fixture, struggling to match their intensity.
There were flashes of strong defensive pressure from Isla Scicluna and Piper Crawley but a lack of conversion proved costly, as Leongatha prevailed comprehensively, 35-12.
Scicluna, Crawley and Lila Chila led the way for Bairnsdale.
With the entire competition enjoying a bye this week, Bairnsdale’s next fixture will be against Warragul at the Bairnsdale City Oval on July 19.
