Bairnsdale is two points outside the Gippsland League “A” grade netball top five after slipping up to Warragul during round 15 last Saturday.
The Redlegs were well beaten by the third-placed Gulls, going down by 30 goals, however they remain in the hunt for a finals berth with a favourable draw in the remaining three rounds.
Bairnsdale meets Wonthaggi this Saturday in what is effectively and elimination final.
If the Redlegs win they will leapfrog the Power, and if they lose their chances of playing in September effectively close.
A win would bode well for Bairnsdale as its final two games come against Leongatha and Sale, both below them on the ladder.
Bairnsdale’s hopes of victory last Saturday against the Gulls were thwarted in the first quarter, the visitors powering to a 13-goal quarter time lead.
The Redlegs were forced to work hard for every possession in attack and the defenders were working overtime against the tall Warragul goalers.
A good rev up by the coach at half time saw the Redlegs lift their intensity in the third quarter but it was Warragul who had the better of them in the last, extending the margin by a further 13 to record a convincing win.
Best players were Olivia Betts and Brielle Malady.
Bairnsdale’s “B” grade put up a superb effort, improving their losing margin from their round six game against the Gulls despite going down by 11, Warragul edging slightly ahead at each quarter.
Bairnsdale’s best players were Sophie Bills and Liv Rees.
The Redlegs “C” grade side recorded its fifth win of the season, outpointing Warragul by 11 goals.
Bairnsdale started strong in a fast-paced first half with tight defence, strong rebounding and accurate shooting.
The Gulls challenged them in the third quarter but the Redlegs held strong to win comfortably, with the best players being Brooke Soulsby and Ash Dixon-Tong.
