Bairnsdale under 16 footballers emphatically got themselves on the Gippsland League winners’ list last weekend, defeating Sale by a massive 137 points.
After a round one loss to Traralgon, the Redlegs put the Magpies to the sword, kicking 12 second half goals and keeping Sale to just two behinds for the entire match.
Thomas Hudson – who kicked all of Bairnsdale’s four goals in round one – starred in the forward 50m arc yet again on his way to eight goals.
Tarkyn Nicol chimed in with three and Liam Carroll two.
Damon O’Connor was named the side’s best players, while Tom Selleck and Cooper Vickery were prominent.
The percentage-boosting victory pushed Bairnsdale into fourth spot, behind Traralgon, Drouin and Warragul, who are undefeated.
The under 18 footballers, however, remain winless after going down to Sale by 22 points.
In what was largely a back and forth tussle, the Redlegs, after leading at quarter time, were held goal-less in the third term as the Magpies took control.
Noah Bottom was the only multiple goalkicker with two.
2019 Gippsland Powerlisted dasher, Tyran Rees, was Bairnsdale’s bets along with Boris Bryant.
Bairnsdale was unable to secure a victory on the netball court with the 17 and under girls losing by 27, the 15 and under team going down by 33 and the 13 and under girls suffering a 34-goal loss.
With a depleted side the Bairnsdale 17 and under girls were easily defeated by an “A” grade-worthy Sale team.
Defenders Emily Hall, Ruby Timms and Ruby Dunkley put pressure on the ball to cause turnovers, however Bairnsdale could not utilise it in the attacking end.
Anna Mooney stepped up from the 15 and under team and played well.
With minimal scoring opportunities from the pressure of a defensive side, Sale was just too good.
The final score was 34-7.
Sale started the 15 and under game strong as the Redlegs battled to slow its flow.
Great centre court pressure was applied which resulted in Jordan O’Connor gaining multiply intercepts, while Anna Mooney was moved to the centre court and her long arms made it difficult for Sale to capitalise.
The score blew out in the third quarter as the Magpies took advantage.
Olivia Rees worked hard all game in defence, however Redlegs were unable to minimise the margin, going down 47-13.
The opening quarter of the 13 and under clash started quick and even with both teams moving well.
Bairnsdale defenders worked well and when the Redlegs did get into the ring, converted well.
The tall attackers for Sale strengthened the home side’s advantage in the second quarter as the Redlegs struggled to move into attack early.
A 22-7 deficit at the main break didn’t reflect the evenness of the tussle.
The Redlegs again didn’t give up without a fight right to the final whistle, showing some smooth passages of play and an overall impressive performance.
The final score was 44-10 in favour of the Magpies.
IMAGE: Anna Mooney, in action during 2019 against Warragul, was one of Bairnsdale’s best in its 15 and under loss to Sale in round two of Gippsland League netball on Saturday. K717-16 (2019)
