South Morang remains unbeaten in Section 3, while Thomastown strengthened its top-four place in Section 4 in Round 10 of the NNL.
BEARS EDGE OUT EAGLES
by Lauren Bordin
A consistent Thomastown was able to ward off a strong start and finish by Whittlesea 2 in Section 4 of the NNL to win by four goals at Parade College.
Good defence from the Eagles in the circle put pressure on Thomastown shooters causing some shots to go astray early.
The defense was equally as strong down the other end of the court.
Thomastown’s defenders, along with centre Sarah Carter consistently intercepted the ball before Whittlesea had a chance to take any shots.
Despite the Eagles scoring the first three goals of the match, this defensive pressure allowed the Bears to draw the scores level at the end of the first quarter.
This strong effort from the Thomastown defenders continued into the second quarter and the ball barely entered Whittlesea’s goal third.
Although the Eagles had a strong start, the Bears surged ahead in the second quarter and held a six-goal lead at half time.
In a more even third quarter the Whittlesea defenders began to visibly frustrate Thomastown’s shooters.
However the Bears still managed to narrowly outscore the Eagles six goals to four in the quarter to lead by eight goals at the break.
Although Whittlesea was able to reduce its deficit in the last term, it still fell short by four goals.
Thomastown’s goal defence Janelle Birch was best on court thanks to her ability to intercept countless balls throughout the game, while her teammate Jai Nicol was also handy in goal shooter, top scoring with 14 goals for the game.
Thomastown 1 (24) def Whittlesea 2 (20)
LIONS MAINTAIN UNBEATEN START
by Lauren Bordin
South Morang 2 remains the only undefeated team in Section 3 of the NNL after handing second-placed North Heidelberg its second loss of the season.
A lot of toing and froing of the ball created a struggle for the first few goals which all went to South Morang.
After that initial period goals began to flow more freely, but the opening goals were crucial in the Lions holding a three-goal lead at quarter time.
However North Heidelberg was quicker with its movement of the ball down the court and South Morang’s lead was short lived.
A couple of long range shots from goal attack Megan West put North Heidelberg in front, as West was on her way to top score and shoot 17 goals for the match.
From this point the teams couldn’t be split as neither side could move in front by more than one goal until halfway through the third quarter.
It was then a goal keeper throw in was brought down to South Morang’s attacking circle for a goal as it forged a two-goal lead.
Good defensive pressure from the Lions late in the quarter prevented a North goal which allowed them to hold this two-goal buffer going into the final quarter.
South Morang defenders Jane Higgs and Olivia Pels forced West to shoot from a distance however this didn’t faze her and she was able to shoot truly.
Although North Heidelberg shot the last three goals of the game it was still outscored in the last quarter by the Lions who won 25-20.
South Morang 2 (25) def North Heidelberg 2 (20)
