It was an outstanding day at the netball courts last Saturday for Lakes Entrance in round 11 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League, highlighted by four outstanding wins in the senior grades.
In “A” grade Lakes registered its second win for the season, both now over Paynesville, when it ran out an impressive 38-goal winner.
Paynesville brought intensity to the encounter early, not letting the Seagulls have it easy early on as both sides worked hard for possession in a scrappy match.
Lakes eventually found its mojo, tightening up as it piled on the goals, the shooters on fire, Poppy Carroll and Tilly Richardson serving the ball on a silver platter.
Brodie Stubbs was amazing in defence, denying Paynesville scoring opportunities, while Brianna Thewma was steady in wing defence, providing a consistent and reliable outlet for Lakes.
The Seagulls maintained the intensity in the second half, restricting the Gulls to just nine goals for the half.
Awards for Lakes Entrance went to Carroll, Yates and Allen.
The Seagulls “B” grade side sits comfortable in third spot on the table after an incredible 58-4 victory.
Lakes Entrance was dominant from start to finish, leading 13-0 at quarter time and 32-1 at half time, strong defence and accurate shooting a feature.
The Gulls lifted in the second half, shooting more goals but the Seagulls continued to surge, playing some exceptional netball, with Ebony Ethridge and Tehya Morrison leading the way.
In “C” grade the Seagulls recorded their third win of the season, running out 30-goal winners over the winless Gulls.
The Seagulls had a point to prove following two disappointing defeats, applying immense pressure to Paynesville, which forced numerous errors and turnovers.
Lakes made a few poor decisions but quickly turned it around, Ciara Lawson fed the ball beautifully into the shooters, while Mikaela Ashworth was steady and consistent.
Rebecca Rotheram was relentless as always and Lakes continued to add polish to its play, even managing to play an outstanding third quarter, which isn’t always the case.
Reghan Radford flew at everything in defence while Chelsea Lavery worked flawlessly up and down the court.
Pariss McKendry got hands to everything while Matilda Stephenson and Pohiri Gemmell couldn’t miss the ring.
It was a great team effort, everyone pitching in for a convincing four-quarter performance, with awards to Lavery and Ashworth.
In “D” grade, the Seagulls are sitting pretty in fourth place on the table after a 28-goal victory over the Gulls.
It was a slow start to the game from both teams, some inaccurate shooting from Lakes turned the ball over but the defence worked hard to to get the ball back and send it back down into defence.
The Seagulls eventually found their groove, moving the ball smoothly into the shooters who converted.
The lead was out to 22 goals by half time, the Seagulls defenders worked hard, getting tips to balls and even pulling in some loose balls.
Paynesville played some good netball in the second half, limiting the damage, as Lakes continued to make positional changes, the play becoming messy as the sun came out in the final quarter.
Award winners for Lakes were Cassandra Supple and Charlotte Zagami.
The girls will have a much-deserved weekend off, prior to taking on Boisdale Briagolong in an away game on July 13.
IMAGE: Indi Allen leaps to block a Paynesville attempt at goal during Lakes Entrance’s round 11 “A” grade East Gippsland netball win over the Gulls at the Lakeside Oval last Saturday. Allen was one of the Seagulls best during their second win of the season.
