By David Nagel
Pakenham has leap-frogged its way into third position on the Outer East Division One women’s ladder after the Lions proved too strong for Monbulk on Saturday.
The Lions made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season with a commanding but wildly inaccurate 10.21.81 to 2.0.12 victory over the Hawks at Monbulk.
The Pakenham girls have been riddled by injuries in recent weeks but came out firing; opening up a 24-point lead at quarter time.
Coach Rick Stalker has had his girls working hard on their goal-kicking at training, but the pressure of match-day forced the Lions to miss some very gettable opportunities.
They built their 3.6 quarter-time score-line to 5.11 by half time, before 4.7 in the third term had the scoreboard reading 9.18.72 to 2.0.12 at the final change.
The Lions then kicked 1.3 to no score in the final term to run out 69-point winners.
Chelsea English and Bianca Moody kicked two each for the Lions while Brianna Menere, Pippa Simon, Katie Saunders, Courtney Stephens, Sarah Connelly and Chloe Nagel all chimed in with a goal apiece.
Emily Devine was once again strong across half back, while Tianah Vandesteeg joined midfielders Stephens, Nagel, Connelly and Moody on the Lions best player’s list.
Briannan Lambe was terrific for the Hawks and kicked a goal, while Kathryn Gow, Genna Seamer and Laura Gillard were other players to shine.
The Lions will host Berwick Springs when play resumes from the King’s Birthday weekend on Saturday 17 June.
Undefeated Healesville will enjoy the week off after winning the battle of the Bloods by 32 points against Olinda Ferny Creek.
Healesville was constantly put under pressure, but two goals to Danielle Carrucan and one each to Scarlett Potter, Dannielle Jones and Ishka-belle Stock were enough for a 5.4.34 to 0.2.2 scoreboard.
Sophie Morris and Cassy Wilsmore were best for Healesville, while Kyah Barry, Lucy Hilton and Lily Carlin were the cream of the crop from Olinda.
And second-placed Upwey-Tecoma has set up a huge one-v-two clash against Healesville on June 17 with a 39-point victory over Berwick Springs.
The Tiges had this one sewn up at half time; leading by 31 points, before the Titans lifted their game to be outscored by two goals to one in the second half.
Bec Thompson was the star for the Tigers, booting four goals, while the talented Zara Strang stood out like a beacon for Berwick Springs.
Results R8: Healesville 5.3.34 def Olinda Ferny Creek 0.2.2, Monbulk 2.0.12 def by Pakenham 10.21.81, Upwey Tecoma 7.4.46 def Berwick Springs 1.1.7.
Ladder: Healesville 32, Upwey Tecoma 28, Pakenham 16, Olinda Ferny Creek 12, Berwick Springs 8, Monbulk 0.
Fixture R9 (Saturday 17 June): Pakenham (3) v Berwick Springs (5), Healesville (1) v Upwey Tecoma (2), Olinda Ferny Creek (4) v Monbulk (6).
