A Grade
Sixth placed Monbulk took on the second placed Mount Evelyn in a fast and high scoring shoot-out. The Rovers had the better of the first half and opened up an eight goal lead by half time. In the second half it was goal for goal with some very entertaining netball being played. Mount Evelyn eventually triumphed by 10 goals to regain the Bendigo Bank Community Challenge Netball Cup. Jen Dewhurst won the medal for best on court. Monbulk’s total of 56 goals is their highest ever losing score, surpassing the 55 goals they scored against Belgrave in 2018 when they lost 55-67. Monbulk may be out of the running for a finals spot now but will look to knock off finals bound Olinda next week for the second time this season.
Mount Evelyn 66 def Monbulk 56
Best: Jen Dewhurst, Jamie Clark, Peri Reid
Goals: Peri Reid 48, Jen Dewhurst 8
B Grade
Mount Evelyn were also in second place in B Grade, having only lost twice this year, when they came up against seventh placed Monbulk. The Hawks took it right up to their opponents in a game that ebbed and flowed. Monbulk grabbed a two-goal lead by quarter time, Mount Evelyn edged ahead by three goals at half time before the Hawks countered with a 12-6 third term. Going into the final quarter with a 33-30 lead, Monbulk were outgunned 14-6 in the final quarter but went down gallantly against one of the top teams in their division.
Mt. Evelyn 44 def Monbulk 39
Best: Rihanna Kelly, Paige Rondinella, Lisa Boyle
Goals: Paige Rondinella 25, Dayna Walsham 9, Chloe Schmidtke 5
C Grade
The C Grade team played one of their best games for the year to account for Mount Evelyn by seven goals. Earlier in the year they had lost by 17 goals in the corresponding fixture but they were switched on from the start on Saturday. After an even opening term, Monbulk played with some excellent link-up teamwork for the next two quarters to establish a match winning 10-goal lead by the last change. Mount Evelyn made slight inroads in the final stages but Monbulk was able to claim their fourth win for 2023 and move up one place on the ladder to eighth.
Mount Evelyn 29 def by Monbulk 36
Best: Simone Beattie, Jess Whitworth, Laura Del Biondo
Goals: Jamie Sands 22, Sammi Kelly 14
D Grade
Monbulk’s D Grade team continue to play with enthusiasm and enjoyment, despite the results they have met with. All bar two of the Hawks are in their first year of senior netball. Mount Evelyn proved to be too good and experienced to record a comfortable win.
Mount Evelyn 37 def Monbulk 8
Best: Kate Smith, Hannah Dickason, Bronte Passingham
Goals: Kate Smith 6, Eireann Lawson 2
