It was a tough day at the netball for the Seagulls during round nine of the East Gippsland Football Netball League, with four losses and two wins against traditionally strong Wy Yung line ups.
The wins by both “B” grade and the under 17s have helped them maintain their position inside the top four in what is looming as a competitive finale to all grades.
Wy Yung was quick out of blocks in “A” grade, opening up a seven-goal lead by quarter time off the back of consistent mid court pressure which created numerous turnovers.
The Tigers’ pressure was relentless and their shooting impressive as they ran out easy 26-goal victors.
The Seagulls stuck to the task at hand, their last quarter effort of 10 goals the side’s best for the game.
Poppy Carroll was awarded the best player for the Seagulls, with other awards going to Tessa York, Mikaela Witherow and Charlotte Stephenson.
The third-placed Lakes Entrance kept its hopes of double chance finish alive with a hard-fought victory of the second ranked Tigers in “B” grade.
The Seagulls played one of their best quarters for the year in the first stanza, opening up a more than handy eight-goal advantage.
Wy Yung rallied hard in the middle two quarters, narrowing the advantage to six goals at three quarter time.
With plenty to play for, it was the Seagulls who gave the best account of themselves in the final term, running away to win by nine goals with Tommi Carroll and Molly Stevens leading the way.
Lakes Entrance made the top of ladder Tigers work for victory in “C” grade outscoring Wy Yung in the final quarter (6-2), but the Tigers got home by nine goals.
Despite the loss to the top of the table Wy Yung, the Seagulls showed some more victors are just around the corner.
Defenders Reghan Radford and Rebecca Rotheram led the way for Lakes Entrance.
A dominant second quarter from the second-placed Tigers saw them open up a match-winning advantage over the third-ranked Seagulls in “D” grade.
The Tigers were winners by 12 goals, despite numerous fightbacks from the Seagulls.
Lakes Entrance needs to go back to the drawing board before the side next meet.
Shooter Sarah Kennedy and Shannae Mills were among the best for the Seagulls.
IMAGE: Shooter Abbey Yates makes a pass to Tessa York.
