There were four clear-cut results in round 14 of East Gippsland “A” grade netball, with top side Lucknow’s defeat of fourth-placed Lindenow keeping the door ajar for fifth-placed Wy Yung.
The Cats have pulled off some great wins over the past month, but they were no match for the Magpies, who were still smarting from the previous week’s loss to Boisdale Briagolong.
Lucknow was an emphatic 43–19 winner in a match where intense defensive pressure featured throughout all four quarters.
Hayley Escudero, Anna Lisa Short and Alice Short were in great form for the Magpies, while Anna Websdale, Brooke Perrett and Renee Barry battled hard for the Cats.
Lindenow holds a two-point advantage over Wy Yung with two games to play. The Cats are set to face Stratford (away) and Paynesville (home), while the Tigers are drawn against Boisdale Briagolong (away) and Lakes Entrance (home). The onus is on Wy Yung to win both remaining matches to give itself any chance of sneaking into finals action, where it has been a perennial contender.
The Tigers kept their chances alive with a comfortable 63–30 victory over Orbost Snowy Rovers at Orbost, led by Sienna Anderson and Sophie Bills against spirited opposition from Hayley Boxall and Kirsty Herbert.
At AJ Freeman Reserve, Boisdale Briagolong continued Paynesville’s winless season with a commanding 54–19 win. Hannah Pratt, Taryn Cunningham and Emerson Connolly were outstanding for the third-placed outfit, while Paige Strickland, Teniell Walker and Lucy Weston tried hard for the Seagulls, who continue to show improvement as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, second-placed Stratford went on its winning way at home, defeating a spirited Lakes Entrance 57–42. Maggie Tatterson and Sierra Cook led the charge for the Swans, while Tommi Carroll, Tayla Mills and Chloe Watson impressed for the Seagulls, who look capable of knocking off Orbost Snowy Rovers this week if they can replicate that form.
