It was a great result for Bairnsdale at the netball courts in round 11 of the Gippsland League, winning the “A” grade match against a formidable opponent in Morwell at the Bairnsdale City Oval.
A revelation in recent weeks, it was the Red-legs “A” grade side fourth win in its past five matches and remarkably they still sit outside the top five, but only on percentage.
In Sally Dellar’s 150th game for the Redlegs and Sophie Scott’s “A” grade debut, Bairnsdale put together four consistent quarters, increasing the margin at every break, eventually winning easily by 26 goals.
The features of the game were the outstanding goal circle feeding from the midcourt and tight defensive pressure, which allowed for the comfortable win.
Paris and Ruby Dunkley were both in outstanding form leading the way for the Redlegs, while Anna Mooney (39 goals) and Deller (28) were in great touch in the circle.
It was heartbreak in “B” grade for the Red-legs, failing by just one goal to register its first win for the season.
Slow out of the blocks and trailing eight goals at quarter time, Bairnsdale rallied and played its best netball for the season over the final three quarters, going down in a mentally and physically intense clash by the barest possible margin.
Sophie Bills and Remy Clarke were both in sensational form for the Redlegs, while Kayla Neilsen (15) and Maddison Fullgrabe (19) were in great touch in the forward half.
In “C” grade, after a tight defensive start by both teams, the game becoming a battle of the shooters with accuracy at both ends.
However, Morwell outlasted the pressure to win by 12 goals, with Vicky Waddell, Mikayla Shaw and Ash Dixon-Tong the better players for the Redlegs.
IMAGE: Sally Dellar (centre) celebrated her 150th game for Bairnsdale with family and friends. (PS)
