Kilmore 4 have produced an upset in their Section 9 semi-final with Lower Plenty 1, winning by eight goals to book the first spot in the competition’s Grand Final.
Two seven-goal quarters proved to be the difference in the 23-15 victory, as despite the Bears ability to fight their way back into the match at times, the result means the Blues have now defeated the top of the table Bears twice in the previous three weeks.
Deanne Tuppen top scored for Kilmore with 16 goals and produced some clutch shots throughout the middle stages of the match to help her side break the game open. Jenaya Jackson and Amy Perry also provided some great support in attack when required.
Morgan Appleby again led the scoring for Lower Plenty with 12 goals. She has now scored 194 goals in games following grading in the 2023 season.
It was a scorching start by Kilmore that gave them the upper hand from the onset. Led by Tuppen, the Blues shot seven goals for the term.
Despite falling away on the scoreboard early, Lower Plenty did well to keep up with the tempo of the contest through the middle stages before Blues wing attack Annabelle Varcoe led the way in helping her side maintain control at the first break.
Lower Plenty found some momentum in the early stages of the second quarter. It started in defence as goal keeper Lucinda Groppi’s ability to pull down rebounds and win the ball back ensured her the ball was kept out of the Bears defensive third.
She played a big role in limiting the Blues to just four goals in the term.
Centre Michelle McTaggart was solid in the mid court and provided plenty of opportunities for her team to surge forward.
The Blues still managed to extend their lead despite their opposition’s best efforts defensively, and it gave Kilmore the opportunity to push their five-goal half time lead out even further in the second half.
They would go on to produce their second seven-goal quarter in the match, lifting their pressure around the Lower Plenty ball carriers while making the most of their opportunities in the attacking third.
The Bears trailed by seven at three quarter time but with Appleby scoring all five of her side’s goals in the previous quarter, they didn’t give up on the possibility of a comeback in the final term.
While Lower Plenty were again competitive, Kilmore’s connectivity between the midcourt and the attacking third was illustrated within the last quarter. As a result, it allowed them to win the final period by a goal and claim an eight-goal victory.
