Lancaster confirmed its status as the powerhouse of Kyabram District League netball’s A-grade competition in 2024 with a first-half display against Girgarre that put the result beyond doubt well before the final siren.
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The Wombats, who sit undefeated on top of the ladder with nine wins from as many games, led 37-20 at half-time after star goaler Chicquita Vick piled on 29 first-half goals (finishing with 55 for the game) in what was a game of first versus second.
Girgarre’s second loss for the season has seen it drop to third on the ladder, replaced by Shepparton East, and the final scoreline of 68-44 in Lancaster’s favour acts as a warning shot across the bows of the other half-dozen teams involved in the fight to challenge Lancaster for this year’s premiership.
The Kangaroos have a tough couple of weeks ahead of them, facing off against fourth-ranked Violet Town this weekend and then fifth-placed Dookie United the week following the general bye (July 13).
Girgarre shooter Jacqui Gahan shot 17 of her team’s 20 opening-half goals, starting with Kimberley Hanna, then working with Darcie Stammers for the final half.
Stammers shot 16 goals in the second half as Gahan was kept unusually quiet by opponent Millie Hill.
Hill was moved to goal keeper in the second half, replacing Charli Westerveld in that role.
Phillipa Inglis spent the entire game at goal defence, having four different opponents during the game.
Both teams used their entire roster of nine players, Girgarre keeper Abigail Sergienko given the tough assignment on Vick and working mostly with Allana Adams in stopping the onslaught.
Girgarre was much more competitive in the second half, outscored by eight goals as the midcourt of Holly Nelson and Teah Ryan battled gamely against Lancaster’s Zoe Hayes and Cassie-Lee Westley.
Lancaster’s next big test does not come until the final home and away round of the season, when it confronts second-ranked Shepparton East.
· Only four premiership points separates the fifth to ninth-ranked teams of the B-grade competition, with Girgarre’s 10-goal win against Lancaster on Saturday giving it eighth position – leaving it only two points behind seventh-ranked Lancaster and Stanhope (sixth).
Stanhope, Girgarre, Lancaster, Nagambie (fifth) and Dookie United (ninth) appear to be fighting for two spots in the finals.
Girgarre led by 10 goals at half-time of Saturday’s game, Emily Crocker and Sarah Bloomfield doing their best work early against the Wombats’ defensive pairing of Allana Kuiper and Chloe Chiswell.
After half-time Lancaster responded by moving Jasmine Westley into goals (12 goals for the half) and Darianne Cerrone moved to shooter, finishing with 18 goals for the game.
Both teams scored 19 goals after half-time and the result was 44-34 in Girgarre’s favour, Kylie Walsh and Sherridan Cocks spending the entire game in the midcourt for Girgarre, while Chelcee Schubert, Jaleigha Hart and Sarah Mott interchanged at wing and centre for Lancaster.
· Lancaster has retained its top six ranking in C-grade after a dominant third term allowed it to score a four-goal win against seventh-ranked Girgarre.
The Wombats trailed by two at quarter-time, but squared the ledger by half-time.
In the third term Caitlyn Grima (26 goals for the game) shot nine goals as Lancaster won the quarter by five and managed to hold on for a 41-37 win.
Girgarre’s Mikayla Hall shot 10 goals in the second term and finished with 26 for the game, while Emma Schache and Hollie Mitchell interchanged in the centre.
Lancaster’s Georgia Ross spent the entire game at goal keeper, supported by Elisha Nash, with Taya Hayes and Ali Backway the keys to the midcourt for the Wombats.
· Girgarre retained fourth place in C-reserve with a six-goal win against ninth-ranked Lancaster, a dominant final term allowing it to secure the points.
Lancaster trailed by two at quarter-time, but a 12-goal quarter from Wombats shooter Ella Brennan saw the underdog lead by three at the main change.
Both teams scored 12 goals in the third term, but the final quarter was all Girgarre.
Girgarre shooter Giulia Pulsoni shot 10 final-quarter goals (29 for the game) and defenders Tatiana Taylor and Tess Brookman kept their opponents to only five goals. Girgarre won the game 48-42.
Lancaster used 11 different players for the game, Leah Bates spending the entire game in the midcourt. Sonia O’Neill and Sharmayne John were its defensive stars.
· Seventh-ranked Lancaster remained in touch with the under-17 top six by taking a five-goal win against Girgarre, holding on to a six-goal half-time lead despite a strong challenge from its opponent.
Wombats goaler Sakuyra Versis shot 21 goals for the game in the 35-30 win, while Chelsea Leocata finished with 17 goals for Girgarre.
Lancaster defenders Abbey Shortis and Bella Sefton did their best work after half-time, while Jessie McDonald spent time in defence and the midcourt for the Kangaroos.
· Girgarre locked away its place inside the top six of the under-15 competition with a commanding display, Neve Pethybridge shooting 31 goals in the first three quarters before handing over the reins to Tayla Starling and Jorji Dedini.
The Kangaroos led by five at quarter-time and by 16 at the half-time break, but Lancaster goaler Zenah Moulsdale did her best work in the third and finished the game with 13 goals.
Lily Taylor played in defence, attack and the centre for Lancaster in the 24-56 loss, while Sophie Norris worked hard to try and stop the rampant Girgarre in her defensive role.
· Top-of-the-ladder Girgarre remains unbeaten in the under-13 competition after a 31-7 win against Lancaster.
Cassidy Fletcher and Daisy Woodcock were the pick of the Girgarre goalers, while Lilly Camin spent the entire game in defence with Gemma Tomasini.
For Lancaster Hannah Thompson, Aurelie Wilson and Amelia Parsons worked hard in the midcourt to stop the top team from continuing its winning run.
Kyabram Free Press and Campaspe Valley News editor