It was a tough day for the Lakes Entrance netballers in round 12 of East Gippsland Football Netball League, proving no match for Boisdale Briagolong at the Cabbage Patch.
The Bombers are always a tough adversary. With all four of their senior teams in the top four, it was always going to be tough ask, but that didn’t dent the enthusiasm of the Seagulls.
Lakes struggled for rhythm early in “A” grade, the Bombers capitalising and opening up an eight-goal lead by quarter time as their strong defence dominated.
The Seagulls found their mojo in the second term but Boisdale was making it hard for them to get back in the game, with deadly accurate shooting.
As the match progressed Lakes was certainly more competitive and with plenty of positional changes a more free-flowing game was adapted.
But with Boisdale Briagolong shooting from all angles and rarely missing, the home side ran out winners by 28 goals, 64-36.
Molly Stevens, Poppy Carroll and Indi Allen were among the best for the Seagulls.
In “B” grade the third-ranked Seagulls were excited to take on the unbeaten Bombers, hopeful of victory and worst case scenario, getting a gauge where they are at with the finals not too far away.
Nothing separated the two sides in the first half, the Seagulls taking the game right up to the Bombers, showing they are more than capable of matching it with them.
The intensity of the game went up several cogs in the third quarter and with that came errors and turnovers, which the Bombers were able to capitalise on, opening up a seven-goal lead by three quarter time.
Lakes put together some great passages of play in the final term but Boisdale showed why it is unbeaten, drawing away for an impressive win by 15 goals.
Tommi Carroll and Tehya Morrison were named in the best players for Lakes Entrance.
Lakes was keen to follow on from its impressive win over Paynesville last week in “C” grade, but with a few players unavailable, under 17 player Tilly Richardson was drafted into the line up.
After a slow start Lakes Entrance had a phenomenal second quarter, closing the gap to just just three goals, taking it right up to the third-placed Bombers.
The Seagulls have improved as the season has progressed, teamwork a feature as the battle gallantly against the best teams.
The Bombers were too good in the second half, drawing away to win by 12 goals, 37-25.
Chelsea Lavery and Matilda Stephenson were Lakes’ best players.
Currently third on the ladder in “D” grade, Lakes Entrance was keen to throw down the challenge to the unbeaten Bombers in “D” grade, but that wasn’t the case.
Boisdale dominated the first quarter opening up a 20-5 lead, the Seagulls reverted to play catch up for the remainder of the match.
Lakes Entrance managed to stem the Bombers’ scoring somewhat, but struggled to convert at the other end, going down by 32 goals with plenty of work and improvement required if they are to match the top two sides in the finals.
Gabi Wright and Shannae Mills standouts for the Seagulls.
IMAGE: Seagulls “C” grade wing attack, Chelsea Lavery, was named among the best players for her side last Saturday. Lavery is part of team that is improving every week and keen to rack up some wins in the final five matches.
