Epping 3 are right in the finals hunt in Section 9 of the NFNL winter netball competition after defeating Hurstbridge 4 by 10 goals at Nets Banyule Stadium.
The Blues led by four goals at both half time and three-quarter time before a 10-goal to four final term broke the game open and paved the way for them to triumph 30-20.
Epping 3 now jump into the top four on percentage ahead of fifth placed Heat 7 and sixth placed Epping 5 on percentage. While the Bridges are in eighth spot but are still just two games shy of the fourth placed Blues.
Ashlee Moate starred with 17 goals, she has now scored 59 goals in her last three games, while 12 goals from Madison Brown helped create a formidable shooting duo for the Blues.
Meanwhile the defensive paring of McKenzie Newport and Paige Kearney were critical in securing the vistory, winning plenty of ball back and making it tough for Hurstbridge to get easy transition in attack.
Jade Allison led the scoring for Hurstbridge with 11 goals, whilst Skye O’Brien consistently worked hard in the circle to score nine goals.
A tight first term was played out between the two sides. The Blues defensive work rate in their attacking third was a particular highlight and it helped them establish an early two goal lead at the first break.
Moate led the way in Epping’s eight-goal term, scoring seven of the goals and was proving to be a real presence in the attacking circle.
Hurstbridge were able to keep up with the pace of the Blues in patches of the second term despite registering just four goals.
Rianna Taylor was kept busy in centre for the Bridges while Haylea Wright rallied hard to keep her the ball away from her side’s defensive third.
But it was the Blues defence that were on show, with the efforts of Amy and Olivia Winley ensuring any turned over ball was quickly transitioned into the attacking third, which also helped give Epping a four-goal advantage at the main break.
Both teams put up a competitive third quarter, finishing with six goals each.
Amy Winley was again a standout while Rebecca Duffin’s move to centre saw her have more of an impact on the game.
It gave Hurstbridge a sniff heading into the final quarter, but it was Epping who had all the answers.
The Blues kept the Bridges to a second four-goal quarter of the match, while firing 10 goals themselves to secure the win.
Moate and Brown were in sync up front, scoring five goals each to help Epping win their second consecutive game.
