Lakes Entrance returned to the winners’ list in East Gippsland netball scoring its third victory of the season, running out easy 15-goal winners over Lindenow during round 14 action at the Lakeside Oval last Saturday.
After a dismal morning, the “A” grade match began in sunny conditions with the only thing brighter than the day being the girls who prepared for the annual club ball in fine fashion.
After a slow start the Seagulls began to find form as the quarter progressed with Lucy Carroll getting plenty of ball, but the lead at the first break was just one goal, the Seagulls’ struggles to feed into the ring proving costly.
Lakes Entrance hit its straps in the second term off the back of some sensational play from Lucy and Poppy Carroll, whose pressure was relentless, opening up numerous chances under the ring as the Seagulls went into half time leaders by six and full of confidence.
With the wind in its sails Lakes went from strength-to-strength in the second half, dominating play in both terms including a rough last term where the netball wasn’t always the focus and the umpires were kept on their toes.
The Seagulls coaching staff were delighted to post another well-deserved win, vindication of the hard work the girls have been putting in through a tough period when results may not have matched expectations.
Tilly Richardson and Lucy and Poppy Carroll were named in the best for the Seagulls, but the win was certainly built on the foundation of a team performance.
The win saw Lakes Entrance leapfrog the Cats and move to sixth on the ladder.
The Seagulls’ under 17 side continued its impressive season registering its 12th win for the campaign and maintaining top position on the ladder, winners 48-13.
Matilda Richardson, Tayah Alsop and Emily O’Donnell all maintained their consistent form, named in the better players yet again.
The closest match of the day was in the under 15s, where Lakes Entrance hung on to win by a solitary goal in a thrilling finale.
The Seagulls dominated the match early leading 7-1 with Tulli McLeod shooting
well, but Lindenow began to fight back late in the second quarter, although the Seagulls still held an impressive 13-7 ascendancy at half time.
Goals dried up for Lakes in the second half as the Cats drew within one goal at three quarter time with four unanswered goals in the final five minutes, setting up a grandstand finish.
The Seagulls held their nerve in the final term with a goal to the Cats after the siren narrowing the margin to one goal.
Mia Hamer and McLeod both impressed for Lakes in match which tested every-
one’s nerves.
The “B” grade match was a tremendous contest between two sides who looked relatively evenly matched on paper.
Lindenow made all the running, winning the first three quarters as it pushed out to a seven-goal advantage by three quarter time, but off the back of good defensive pressure and plenty of grit and determination, the Seagulls mounted a challenge.
Lakes Entrance clawed its way back to within two goals, going down 37-35 in a match it will take plenty of confidence from knowing if it can move the ball like it did in the final term, it is more than capable of picking up another couple of wins in the final three rounds of the season.
Makayla Grabham and Ciara Lawson led the way for the Seagulls in a match that got the hearts racing.
Lindenow was way too good in “C” grade, winning 33-13.
The Seagulls displayed some good movement early but the Cats were more efficient at converting and it showed on the scoreboard, particularly in the second half, though Lakes Entrance did have some solid periods where the match was played on its terms.
Mikaela Hooper and Verity Jakins were the better players for the Seagulls.
The conditions were slippery for the “D” grade match, which made it tough going for both sides, particularly in the first quarter, which was dominated by the defensive units of both combatants.
Lindenow gradually worked its way on top, running out 22-10 winners with Zoe Zagami and Hayley Richardson the best contributors for the Seagulls.
The conditions were also wet for the under 13 fixture which saw the fourth-placed Seagulls taking on the fifth-rated Cats, the ladder positions reversed by the conclusion of the match, with Lindenow running out easy 33-17 winners.
The Cats’ tough defensive unit proved the difference between the two units with Sadie Williams and Keelie Silver battling hard for the Seagulls.
Lakes Entrance will take on arch rival Orbost Snowy Rovers at Lochiel Park in Orbost
this Saturday.
