It was another tough day for Lakes Entrance in round seven of East Gippsland netball, returning from Lindenow with just two junior wins.
The unbeaten under 17 team again led the way but only just, holding off a determined Lindenow by three goals, 30-27.
It was a close game throughout with both sides outstanding defensively, the Seagulls getting home with more belief and confidence down the stretch.
Bonnie Rotheram, Lucy Carroll and Tulli McLeod were again outstanding for the winners.
The under 13 Seagulls got the day off to a great start with a 31-25 win.
Lakes Entrance came out strong and held its nerve in a hard-fought second half with some key positional changes making the difference.
The girls are having a good season, improving every week and currently sitting fifth on the ladder.
Georgi Witham, Violet Lyon and Haddie McLeod led the way for the Seagulls.
Lindenow broke through for its first win of the season in “A” grade in a clash where the Cats and Seagulls went in evenly matched with a solitary win between them for the season. However it was Lindenow who had all the answers across four hard quarters.
Challenged several times in the first half, Cats gave coach Yvonne Porter the last laugh and a well-deserved victory over her former side, Lindenow 50-34 victors.
Brooke Perrett, Ashleigh Forehan and Ashlee Smith were standouts for the improving Cats, while Makayla Grabham and Poppy Carroll led the way for the Seagulls.
Although not victorious, the Seagulls coaching staff were happy with the continued building of connections, which was evident by some great play down the court when the girls played with the desired confidence.
Lakes Entrance was happy to take away small wins like this, as they continue to make steps forward as a team.
The Seagulls put up a good fight in “B” grade but the Cats had all the answers, picking up vital late goals in quarters to win by eight in a competitive game.
Pariss McKendry and Tayla Mills were among the award winners for Lakes Entrance.
On the paper the teams looked well matched in “C” grade but it certainly wasn’t the case, the Cats easy 28-goal winners.
Lindenow got off to a strong start and the Seagulls were unable to match a strong attacking unit.
Matilda Richardson and Haylee McKinnon were the best for the Seagulls.
It was a similar scenario in “D” grade with the sides appearing well-matched pre-game, only for the contest to turn out one-sided, Lindenow impressive 30-goal winners.
The Seagulls never shirked the task but it wasn’t their day, with the Cats’ accurate shooting making a tough task even harder.
Cassandra Supple and Zoe Zagami were solid four-quarter performers for Lakes Entrance.
The under 15 match also saw both sides chasing their first victory for 2025, the Cats winners by four goals, the Seagulls reverted to playing catch up after a disastrous start.
The Seagulls played some great netball in the second half restricting Lindenow to just eight goals and cutting the lead back to three in the final term, before finally succumbing by four.
Lilly Eiseman and Sadie Stevens both had outstanding matches for Lakes Entrance, particularly in the second half.
Lakes Entrance will enjoy a week off courtesy of the King’s Birthday holiday weekend, prior to welcoming Orbost Snowy Rovers to the Lakeside Oval on June 14.
