By David Nagel
Berwick Springs continues to give a strong account of itself in its first season in the Outer East Division One women’s competittion after a 47-point win over Monbulk on Saturday.
The Titans cracked it for their first win against the Hawks in round two, and consolidated their dominance over the visitors with a 6.12.48 to 0.1.1 victory.
The Titans wasted their opportunities in the first term, kicking 1.6 to no score, and fared even worse in front of the big sticks in the second quarter – scoring 0.4 to 0.1 leading into half time.
They led by just 15 points at the major break, but the 1.10 to 0.1 score-line gave a better indication of their control over the contest.
The Titans were far more accurate in the third quarter, kicking 3.2, and then finished off the job with two goals straight in the final stanza.
Abbey Worland, Felicity Jouvelet and Brittany Partington were the prime movers for the Titans, while Maddison Dodd and Lauren Banks never stopped trying for the bottom-placed Hawks.
The Titans host Pakenham this week in the battle for fourth spot after the Lions went down by 31 points to Upwey Tecoma at Toomuc Reserve.
The Lions conceded five first-quarter goals the first time the teams met in round four, but were far more competitive this time around.
The Tigers led by 11 points at quarter time and narrowly increased their margin to 19 points at the main break.
Bec Thompson was proving a handful for the Lions up forward, while Georgia O’Halloran and Penelope Dousset were fantastic contributors around the ground.
But the Lions found their mojo and took things up to the Tigers in the third quarter.
The footy lived in the Lions forward line for the first 10 minutes of play, but the great work of Sarah Ventura, Emily Devine, Courtney Stephens, Chloe Nagel and Courtney Karayannis was constantly repelled by a strong Tigers defence.
Stephens got the Lions roaring with a steady set-shot, but the Tigers answered to take an 18-point lead to the final change.
The Lions tried hard, but conceded two goals in the final term as the Tigers ran out 6.5.41 to 1.4.10 victors.
Thompson finished with three for the Tigers, while Devine and Kayla Menere were brilliant in defence for the Lions.
Pakenham has had a tough month of footy, playing last year’s grands finalists – Healesville and Upwey Tecoma – twice each.
The Lions reduced the deficit on both occasions and now have a strong base to improve on as the year unfolds.
This week’s game against the Titans will give a strong indication of the Lions’ finals credentials.
And Healesville remains the team to beat this year, staying undefeated after a 4.7.31 to 0.1.1 victory over Olinda Ferny Creek.
On a tough night for scoring, the visitors did most of their scoring in the second term to take a 19-point lead to half time.
The second half was a real slog, with the Bloods kicking 1.5 to no score after the half-time break.
Danielle Carrucan continued her great form, backing up her four goals against Pakenham last week with another two, taking her tally to 10 goals for the season.
Sophie Morris, Ishka-Belle Stock and Kate Methven were influential figures for the winners, while Jacqueline Ring, Chloe Kanally and Lily Carlin were honest contributors for Olinda.
Results R6: Berwick Springs 6.12.48 def Monbulk 0.1.1, Pakenham 1.4.10 def by Upwey Tecoma 6.5.41, Olinda Ferny Creek 0.1.1 def by Healesville 4.7.31.
Ladder: Healesville 24, Upwey Tecoma 20, Olinda Ferny Creek 12, Pakenham 8, Berwick Springs 8, Monbulk 0.
Fixture R7: Berwick Springs (5) v Pakenham (4), Upwey Tecoma (2) v Olinda Ferny Creek (3), Monbulk (6) v Healesville (1).
