By David Ball
Yarra Glen travelled to Belgrave, with the home team desperate for their first win. Yarra Glen started well, the midfield winning most clearances and strong marking forwards in Callum Morison and Anthony Harman kicking some early goals. As the quarter progressed Belgrave started winning contests and finding loose players. Their forwards in Dawson and Worsley were giving the River Pig defenders trouble and Belgrave went into quarter time leading 5-3 to 3.5. With the prospect of a victory, the Belgrave midfielders took control in the second and they went into halftime with a 21-point lead. Yarra Glen came out in the third quarter with more purpose and intensity and dominated general play kicking 4-6 to 1-4 to be just a point down. The River Pigs missed a number of set shots and this continued in the last. The ball spent 90 per cent of the time in Yarra Glen’s half, but Yarra Glen failed to convert their chances until defender turned forward Jayden Schille marked strongly to convert the necessary goals for Yarra Glen to run out 9 point winners, 9.19 to 9.10
The best players were Billy Gardner, Ben Ashton, Charlie Wood, Callum Morison, Jayden Schille and Dylan Flakemore.
The Yarra Glen reserves had a promising first quarter, being just 2 points down at the first break. Belgrave had some experienced forwards, with Matt Johnson being too strong despite great efforts from the Yarra defenders. He bagged 5 goals as Belgrave extended their lead to 16 points at halftime. The third quarter was an even battle as both sides added 2 goals. Belgrave proved too strong in the last as Yarra Glen tired. Final scores 9.5 to 13.12.
The best players were Liam Dwyer, Brendan Davis (2 goals), Jordan Quinert in his first game, Nate Capuano (2 goals), Luke Vanderstadt and Zac Capuano (1 goal). Other goalkickers were Stirling Twite Moore (2), Dan Galbraith and Beau Hawkins.
Netball
Yarra Glen A grade faced Belgrave on their beautiful new court in a battle for fourth spot. The home side started strongly taking a 2-goal lead into quarter time. The Yarra girls rallied in the second quarter with defenders Katelyn Vanderkolk and Peta Fay restricting Belgrave to 5 goals whilst in attack Yarra Glen added 12. Yarra Glen continued with much of the same in the second half, intercepting Belgrave’s forward moves whilst converting in attack to run out easy winners, 48-26.
The best players were Lara Wandin-Collins, Chelsea Birchall and Katelyn Vanderkolk.
B Grade, sitting third on the ladder took on fourth-placed Belgrave in a must-win encounter. Belgrave started strongly to be 2 goals up at quarter time. In the second the Yarra girls clicked into gear, with quick ball movement supported by solid defence. They held Belgrave to 8 goals in each of the final 3 quarters, whilst adding 14, 17 and 13 goals respectively to end up convincing winners, 54-36
The best players were Ellen Brown (28 goals), Meaghan Carter and Gemma Ryan.
C Grade had a great battle with Belgrave, who sat one spot above Yarra Glen on the ladder. Neither team was able to string together any consistent ball movement. It was a low-scoring struggle with Belgrave holding a 1-goal lead at three-quarter time. The last was a thrilling contest with Yarra Glen taking the lead and holding on for a 1 goal victory, 16-15
The best players were Jackie Gardner, Ashley Shanks and Michele Young.
D grade opened the day for Yarra Glen and got away to a solid start to be up 20-13 by halftime. Belgrave rallied in the second half to outscore Yarra Glen who struggled to maintain their first-half control. Yarra Glen was able to hang in for an enjoyable return to the winner’s list, 32-29.
The best players were Sarah Orlandi (21 goals), Rose Morris and Sam Chetcuti.
Next week Yarra Glen returns to their home court to take on Berwick Springs.
