The Under 14 and Under 17 United Female football teams came up against Murray Felines at Whorouly on Sunday.
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It was a cool and wet drizzly day in the high country for the girls, but this did not damper their spirits with two competitive games with a victory for the Under 14s and a close game but an eventual loss for the Under 17s.
Thanks to Rae and her fantastic group of volunteers, the day ran very smoothly and was enjoyed by all.
Next week there is a general bye for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend then the Under14s will be the only team to play the following weekend against the Wodonga Bulldogs in Wodonga.
Under14s
United 5.7.37 defeated Murray Felines 0.0.0
Goals: Rose Milthorpe 2, Blaize Seymour 1, Hannah Loughnan 1, Lauren Jewitt 1.
Best: Isabella Klein, Ella Nixon, Blaize Seymour, Evelyn Niedzwiedzki, Lauren Jewitt, Rose Milthorpe.
Despite the drizzly cold conditions at Whorouly on Sunday the Under 14 girls were excited to be back together playing football again.
With the Murray Felines having a full squad the girls again played on a full-size ground.
Lifting off from their previous game against Wang Rovers, United began well with multiple forward entries kicking two goals to Felines 0 in the first quarter. In her debut game for the team Rose Milthorpe made a great first impression kicking the first goal.
In the second quarter the Felines defended well making it difficult for the girls to score.
Isabella Klein wasted no time making her presence felt in her return game from injury. She pounced on every loose ball coming out of the Feline’s defensive 50 sending it back to the United’s forward line multiple times.
Ella Nixon was again solid in the ruck and was determined more than ever to break her every tackle and boot the ball forward.
Evelyn Niedzwiedzki played her best game of the year, confidently attacking the ball at every opportunity resulting in many effective possessions.
Chelsea Hopwood was again solid playing several positions. Chelsea showed on numerous occasions her ability of reading the ball and sweeping up the opposition’s mistakes.
Like last week, as the game progressed into the second half, so did United with some good ball movement and forward entries, but a score was hard to come by in the wet weather.
Midfielders Hannah Loughnan, Amelie Thompson, Shaye Power and Lauren Hewitt were up and about in the third quarter sending it forward at every opportunity.
Blayze Seymour was again busy in the middle and forward line. As the game went on all players were spreading out better, providing space and cleaner passages of play resulting in a couple of good goals.
All players are showing continued improvement each week and getting more of the ball which is really pleasing. Overall, it was a great team effort on Sunday which resulted in a solid win. Well done girls.
Under 17s
United: 1.4.10 lost to Murray Felines 4.5.29
Goals: Madison Ibrahim.
Best: Arana Benne Keeble, Sophie Boyle, Tahlia Newnham, Samantha Peppler, Matilda Lyons, Ruby Riley.
Many of the girls have enjoyed their friendly rivalry with the Murray Felines this year and Sunday’s game reflected this.
Played in great spirits (despite the constant drizzle) this game did not disappoint.
Hard tackling, strong passages of play and many forward entries by both teams was on display from the outset.
Matilda Lyon was again solid in the midfield supported by Sam Peppler in the ruck. Sam’s ruck contest with Felines Mietta Habets was enjoyable to watch all game.
United came out firing from the first bounce dominating the centre breaks and creating many forward entries.
The score line at quarter time of 1.1.7 apiece was reflective of the game.
Under immense pressure and wet trying conditions goals were hard to come by but it was obvious the team that best capitalised on their forward entries would eventually come out on top.
Mia Spiteri, Tash Wilson and Ruby Riley were trying their best to create opportunities but despite some great passages of play the Felines defence stood tall.
Arana Benne Keeble and Sophie Boyle led by example all game providing opportunities for their teammates.
Tahlia Newnham was making her presence felt at every contest and Maddie Ibrahim is improving every week.
But it was the Felines solid overall team effort that shone through on the day, running out eventual winners by 19 points.
The girls now have a three-week break before they return to Whorouly Recreation Reserve to take on the Wodonga Raiders on June 27.
Open Womens
Good luck to the Open Womens team members who have made the inaugural NEB Female Representative team to play the AFL Canberra side in Wagga Wagga this weekend.