Coach Rog was happy with the spirit and endeavour of the girls who had plenty of the ball against a much taller and older side. But despite their efforts the team failed to capitalise with wayward kicking and lots of turnovers.
Tahlia Newnham, Charlie Hall, Brooke Fitzpatrick, Tayla Sampson and Annie Robilliard all defended well sending the ball back to the centre on countless occasions. Some strong plays and running out of the backline by Charlie, Brooke and Tahlia were highlights.
Trinny Preer, despite being one of the smallest players on the ground, stood tall in the last line of defence and played well beyond her years.
Evita Williams was again strong in the ruck giving onballers Ava Loughnan, Gabby Murray, Mia Spiteri and Charlie Hall every chance.
Dakarrah Whitworth, Ruby Kennedy, Amelia Sissons, Josephine Paessens and Phoebe Jarrad provided some good movement of the ball but could not break Lavington’s stronghold in defence.
Some strong and promising passages of play after half time included Annie Robilliard running well out of the goal square then booting a 40-metre ball down the throat of a leading Evita Williams who then played on and kicked it towards the forward line.
Despite many forward entries It wasn’t until the last quarter when the Pigeons finally broke the Panthers stealth defence when Ava Loughnan picked up the ball and snapped truly securing the Pigeons’ only goal for the match. A big difference in both sides was the way the Panthers used their speed and accurate kicking. They continually kept the ball moving, playing-on, on nearly every occasion.
The girls will enjoy another home game this weekend when they take on the Alpine Lions at 11.30am.
Final score: Yarrawonga 1.0-6 lost to Lavington 17.14-116
Awards: Focus Gym: Trinny Preer. Kara & Moo: Evita Williams. Yarrawonga Hotel: Charlie Hall. Publicans Daughter: Tahlia Newnham. Hardluck Café: Tayla Sampson.
Goal: Ava Loughnan.
Yarrawonga Women’s Open
Final Score: Yarrawonga 2.2-14 lost to Lavington 6.9-45
Best: Rori Phibbs, Laura Zanin, Mikaela McQueen, Tayla Sampson, Evita Williams, Jessica Butcher.
Goals: Ameliah Bye, Laura Zanin.