By Jonty Ralphsmith
Cardinia Storm will go into the long weekend on a two-match winning streak.
The weekend’s 3-0 win over Hawthorn means Cardinia has won three of its last four games and drawn the other.
The result has catapulted the Storm to third on the ladder – equal on points with second-placed Mentone and just a point behind St Bede’s on top.
The win was, however, a necessary one, with Hawthorn struggling with one win from eight games, while Cardinia is in a top-six separated by just three points.
Cardinia got on top in the midfield which enabled the club to dictate play for much of the game.
Hawthorn was unable to chain possession in the forward half as Cardinia’s defence was irresistible and patient in building up to penetrate in attack.
Randeep Kaur, Rebecca Gregory and Lauren Walsh all found the back of the net and led the attacking line which played an important role as Cardinia owned territory.
Next up is a tougher assignment for Cardinia, facing Knox which started the season strongly but hasn’t had a win since the start of May.
The club is in good shape off the field too, as it will enter its first lot of junior teams, under-10s and under-12s, into a term-three competition.
Results: Knox 1 v MCC 2, Hawthorn 0 v Cardinia Storm 3, Mentone 0 v Waverley 3, Monash University 0 v St Bede’s 2.
Ladder: St Bede’s 15, Mentone 14, Cardinia Storm 14, Waverley 13, Knox 12, Monash University 12, Hawthorn 4, MCC 4.
Fixture: Cardinia Storm v Knox, Waverley v Monash University, MCC v Mentone, St Bede’s v Hawthorn.
