Epping 6 have maintained their two-game gap on top of the Section 11 ladder following a six-goal triumph over Hazel Glen 2 at RMIT University.
It was a tight contest throughout the opening three quarters with the Blues holding a narrow one-goal lead at three quarter time before breaking the game open with a nine-goal final term to win 32-26.
The victory is the Blues’ seventh consecutive win as they look to solidify a top two spot with six games remaining, while Hazel Glen’s three-game winning streak came to an end as a result of the loss, but they are still within reach of the top four, currently sitting in fifth spot.
Both Epping shooters in Nua Afele and Chelsea Perry were consistent throughout the whole night and were each pivotal in their side’s final quarter surge. Perry has now scored the most goals in the Section 11 competition post-grading with 104.
Emily Timani won plenty of possession in her role as goal defence, ensuring pressure was always on the Hazel Glen shooters, meanwhile Chloe Glen and Amber Middleton were a solid duo in the middle third.
For Hazel Glen, goal defence Paige Corr was a highlight, consistently causing intercepts in her defensive third while initiating quick transitional plays for her side.
Up front, Charlotte Caddy and Casey McGuire kept the scoreboard ticking, with their chemistry in the third term an important catalyst in keeping Hazel Glen in the game, scoring five goals each.
Both sides went goal for goal to start the game in what would be a sign of how competitive the battle would become.
Neither team were willing to give an inch, but it was Epping who managed to edge a one-goal lead at quarter time.
The Blues started to make Hazel Glen pay for their turnovers throughout the second term, as their defensive pressure lifted.
Middleton was always in the thick of the action for Epping, becoming the perfect link up player between the middle and front thirds.
Perry’s six goal second quarter helped the Blues lead by four goals at the main break.
Hazel Glen started to shift the momentum into their favour as the second half commenced, allowing them to stay in the contest as a result.
While the Blues still managed to hold a slight one-goal lead into three quarter time, the impressive efforts of all seven players on the court for Hazel Glen suggested a big finish was on the cards.
But as they have for most of the season, Epping ensured they had the last say in the game, producing a strong nine goal to four last quarter to finish six-goal winners and keep their winning streak intact.
While Hazel Glen fell short, they did keep the Blues to their smallest winning margin of the season, a fact they can hold their heads up high on.
