By Lachlan Mitchell
The Pakenham Lions’ three-game winning streak rolls on in the Outer East Premier Division…this time with a comprehensive 17-goal win over Wandin.
Pakenham had to bring an aggressive flare to the fore after trailing from the opening whistle.
The Lions trailed by two-goals at the first break, with Mia Washington and Rose Laidlaw continuing their scoring run to keep the Lions within touching distance.
The Lions scored 11 goals in the second quarter but the deficit extended to four at half time as Wandin refused to buckle.
But momentum started to navigate the way of the Lions in the third-quarter.
Chloe Morgan’s forward dominance helped the Lions pile on 23 goals in the third term to give the visitors an 11-goal lead at the final break.
Pakenham’s defensive half saw Caitlin Cooke and Teneille Morell restrict Wandin to eight goals in the third term to wrestle back the advantage.
The Lions continued to ravage the Bulldogs in the final term, piling on 13 goals to salute by 17 in a 40-57 final score line.
Lions coach Matt Cooke was impressed by his side’s ability to bounce back after a four-game losing streak to start the season.
“It was our best win for the year,” Cooke said adamantly.
“Wandin have a very experienced side with a lot of players in the Victorian Netball League.
“They have a lot of success and have won the premiership recently, and they have had the wood on us.
“It was a good team effort and probably the best netball we have played all year.
“We have set a standard for the rest of year to maintain that.
“It was a great day for the whole club to link a few wins across the juniors as well.
“It’s all coming together really well this year.”
Cooke’s match-ups in the first half didn’t suit the game style causing the Lions to trail in the first half.
“It took me a little bit of time to get the match ups and player structures right to combat what they had,” he said.
“They attack the ball defensively and it took me time to get the right players on the court that could attack the ball offensively, and that helped us lock them down in the third quarter.
“In the past we have struggled to win those close ones.
“I think the other players believe in the support we have set up for them and that goes a long way.”
The Lions face Woori Yallock next week in Healesville.
This week Woori Yallock had a convincing 27-goal win over Beaconsfield at Holm Park Reserve.
The Tigers Elizabeth Murphy and Mia Sudomirski combining for the big win.
ROC had an easy victory over Mt Evelyn away from home on Saturday.
The Kangaroos led at every change to hop to a 15-goal win over Mt Evelyn.
Keeley Burgmann and Isabella O’Shanassy led the charge for the Kangaroos.
Narre Warren had to ward off a red-hot Olinda Ferny Creek in a high-scoring affair.
The Magpies led by a solitary goal at half-time but fought hard in the second half to run out eight-goal victors.
Ex-Australian international Erin Bell scored 38-goals in a world-class performance.
Monbulk had a fight on its hands when it faced Upwey Tecoma at Thompson Reserve.
Monbulk’s Tarnee Adams put on an impressive 40 goals in the 10-goal win.
DIVISION ONE
Emerald had fans on the edge of their seats as they edged out Yarra Glenn by three-goals in an emphatic showdown.
Kaylah Loulanting put on 35 goals in an impressive performance to drag her side over the line.
The victory sees Emerald sit third on the ladder.
Berwick had the running all to itself as it left Gembrook Cockatoo in its dust.
An 11-goal third term setting up the nervy nine-goal win.
Berwick shooter’s, Emma Clarke and Emily Pupuke, played a impressive double act to seal the Wickers seventh win of the season.
Seville continued its strangle hold on the top of the ladder with a 34-goal drubbing of Belgrave.
Seville lead by 11 at the first break and never looked back.
Alanna Lennie putting on 46 goals in her side’s seventh consecutive win for the season.
PREMIER DIVISION
A GRADE
Mt Evelyn 22 v ROC 37
Olinda Ferny Creek 46 v Narre Warren 54
Upwey Tecoma 47 v Monbulk 57
Wandin 40 v Pakenham 57
Beaconsfield 43 v Woori Yallock 70
B GRADE
Mt Evelyn 40 v ROC 39
Olinda Ferny Creek 34 v Narre Warren 55
Upwey Tecoma 42 v Monbulk 53
Wandin 29 v Pakenham 56
Beaconsfield 61 v Healesville 34
C GRADE
Mt Evelyn 51 v ROC 31
Olinda Ferny Creek 30 v Narre Warren 47
Upwey Tecoma 32 v Monbulk 18
Wandin 33 v Pakenham 38
Beaconsfield 32 v Woori Yallock 18
D GRADE
Mt Evelyn 17 v ROC 31
Olinda Ferny Creek 28 v Narre Warren 20
Wandin 15 v Pakenham 44
Beaconsfield 23 v Healesville 4
Bye: Upwey Tecoma
DIVISION ONE
A GRADE
Yarra Glen 41 v Emerald 44
Belgrave 30 v Seville 64
Gembrook Cockatoo 32 v Berwick 41
Bye: Berwick Springs
B GRADE
Yarra Glen 51 v Emerald 50
Belgrave 38 v Seville 50
Gembrook Cockatoo 25 v Berwick 69
C GRADE
Yarra Glen 40 v Emerald 56
Belgrave 24 v Seville 38
Gembrook Cockatoo 23 v Berwick 41
D GRADE
Yarra Glen 27 v Emerald 35
Belgrave 15 v Seville 32
Gembrook Cockatoo 18 v Berwick 39
13U White
ROC 23 v Pakenham 18
Beaconsfield 26 v Cranbourne 15
Bye: Berwick , Gembrook Cockatoo
13U Blue
ROC 37 v Pakenham 17
Narre Warren 16 v Berwick 32
Bye: Beaconsfield
15U White
Gembrook Cockatoo 9 v Berwick 32
ROC 19 v Narre Warren 38
Beaconsfield 23 v Pakenham 25
15U Blue
ROC 35 v Pakenham 27
Beaconsfield 16 v Cranbourne 24
Narre Warren 36 v Berwick 9
17U White
ROC 21 v Pakenham 19
Beaconsfield 18 v Cranbourne 19
Gembrook Cockatoo 8 v Narre Warren 38
Bye: Berwick
17U Blue
ROC 19 v Berwick 33
Wandin 13 v Pakenham 52
Olinda Ferny Creek 15 v Narre Warren 36
Beaconsfield 52 v Healesville 8
Bye: Seville
