Lakes Entrance Football Netball Club’s junior netball sides were the shining lights against Boisdale Briagolong at the Cabbage Patch in round nine of East Gippsland netball last Saturday.
The unbeaten under 17 team led the way outclassing the Bombers 47-7, with Lucy Carroll, Alyssa Witham and Matilda Richardson all having outstanding games in another incredible victory.
Precise passing set up the victory with a 13-2 opening quarter and it was a training session from then on.
The Seagulls broke through for their first win of the season in the under 15s with all the hard work finally paying off, with four points the reward.
Lakes opened up an early advantage and played strong and confident throughout on the way to victory.
Every player stepped up keeping the momentum going, enjoying the moment and holding off a minor comeback early in the final term from the Bombers.
Tulli McLeod, who shot exceptionally well, and Mia Hamer were standouts for Lakes Entrance in the magnificent 30-21 win.
The under 13s climbed a place on the ladder to third with their hard fought 23-20 win over the gallant Bombers.
Played in very cool conditions, the Lakes girls warmed up first and found the early lead.
The Bombers came hard in the final term, which is what you would expect for a match pitting the third and fourth best teams in the competition.
Lakes rallied and was strong until the very end with the best players being Lacey Lee, Grace Dunbar and Isobel Mills.
The Bombers were too good in “A” grade winning 76-26, but there were some great passages of play from the Seagulls and their effort never waned against quality opposition.
The ball was hotly contested early before the Bombers worked to the top late in the first time, opening up a 16-9 advantage at quarter time.
Several positional moves kept the pressure on Boisdale whose shooting was exceptional, the Lakes coaching staff particularly happy with the third quarter when the defensive pressure was impressive, despite the scoreboard’s reflection.
Poppy Carroll, Lucy Carroll and Emma Yates led the way for the Seagulls.
It was another tough assignment for the Seagulls taking on the unbeaten Bombers in “B” grade, but they certainly weren’t disgraced despite going down 45-25.
Boisdale dominated the first term (11-2) but Lakes maintained its defensive pressure in the second term, outscoring the competition measuring stick 12-8.
The Bombers found their mojo in the second half, but the Seagulls battled hard, led by Tayla Mills and Makayla Grabham.
Boisdale was a dominant winner in “C” grade, victorious 73-23, with Danielle Piper and Matilda Richardson working hard against the odds for the Seagulls.
It was a similar scenario in “D” grade with the Bombers winning 77-3, Lakes never recovering from a poor start, the unbeaten Bombers playing like they will be premiers in 2025.
Hayley Robertson was awarded best player for the Seagulls.
Lakes Entrance will host Lucknow this week at the Lakeside Oval.
