It was a tough, wet day for Bairnsdale at the netball courts against Drouin last Saturday, but did manage to salvage some victories in the juniors, not making the Gippsland League trek home empty handed.
The rain didn’t let up all day making play difficult for players of all ages from both teams.
The Bairnsdale “A” grade side was keen to register another victory to move back into the top five but it wasn’t to be, the second-ranked Hawks not allowing the Redlegs any consistency.
Bairnsdale battled hard, but Drouin prevailed comfortably by 20 goals with Ruby Dunkley, Olivia Rees and Sally Deller named among the best for the Redlegs.
Drouin sits comfortably on top of the ladder in “B’ grade, having only tasted defeat once for the season, while the Red-legs are yet to taste success in 2024. A one-sided clash was anticipated.
To their credit the Bairnsdale girls took the challenge right up to the Hawks, pushing them at various stages throughout the contest, certainly not disgraced, going down by just 12 goals.
Dimity Harris, Olivia Rees and Kayla Neilson (23 goals) were all among the best players, with the girls very close to a win.
After an even first quarter, Drouin outplayed the Redlegs in the final three quarters of the “C” grade game to win by 13 goals, with Ashlee Dixon-Tong, Mikayla Shaw and Cindy Lynch all battling hard for Bairnsdale.
The third-placed Redlegs scored a vital win against the fifth-ranked Hawks in the under 17s.
In a tight and physical contest, with both teams pushing to get the points to try and lock away the vital double chance, it was the Redlegs who held their nerve, winning by four goals.
Eve Sabell (38 goals) and Rahni O’Connor were both in outstanding form for the winners.
Bairnsdale kept its unbeaten run going in the under 15s, outclassing Drouin by 38 goals, with Emme Hadden, Ava Langley (31) and Olivia Pearson (22) leading the way in the big win.
The Bairnsdale under 13s sit one game outside the top five after a 26-goal defeat of Drouin.
Morgan Soulsby, Isla Scicluna and Roxie Jackson (30 goals) led the way for the stars of tomorrow.
IMAGE: Rose Langley, pictured with sister Ava, who made her Gippsland League “A” grade debut last Saturday at Drouin. Rose was one of many juniors stepping up last weekend, all players holding their own in very tough conditions. (PS)
