By DAVID NAGEL
NETBALL in the South East Football Netball League (SEFNL) is alive and well after another exciting round of matches on the weekend.
The match of the day took place at Holm Park Reserve where premiership fancy Hampton Park scored a thrilling 38-37 victory over Beaconsfield.
The Redbacks certainly owed the Eagles one, after going down by eight goals in round two, and led narrowly at every change to score their most important victory of the season.
The gap between the second-placed Redbacks and fourth-placed Eagles is now 10 premiership points, where a reverse of the result would have made it two.
Sara Drain, Jemma Franken and Chloe Birch provided enough midcourt ascendency to get their side over the line, while Bianca Sanzaro, Andi Dickson and Danielle Cameron tried their hearts out for Beacy.
Pakenham became the latest of the top-five teams to survive a scare against Cranbourne, overcoming a half-time deficit to record a 39-37 victory at Casey Fields.
Cranbourne’s defence was magnificent against the Lions in the first half, and not just Tara Cecil (GK) and Alanah Hardy (GD) in the ring, with Steph Ryan (WD) and Carissa Rakip (C) controlling the midcourt and making scoring difficult for their talented opponents.
The Eagles led 17-15 at half time, before the Lions restructured and made a better fist of things after the break.
Meaghan Winter (C) had a great duel with Ryan, who moved to centre for the third quarter, while Rachel Priestly replaced Claire Gibbs and became a real focal point with her goal-shooting expertise.
Berwick warmed up for this week’s huge clash against Hampton Park with a roller-coaster 39-33 victory over ROC at Edwin Flack Reserve.
The visiting Kangaroos led a tight contest at quarter time before the Wickers played their best netball of the match in the second term.
With Emily La Roche (C) providing the drive, it was left to Lynne Moyes (GS) and Amanda Goodie (GA) to cap off that good work, combining for 13 goals for the quarter.
Ashleigh Barnett (C) and Lauren Ward (GS) sparked a ROC comeback in the third, the visitors cutting the margin back to three at the final break.
But Sarah McDermott (WD) and Jodie Cranston (GD) made the right decisions at the right time to get the Wickers across the line.
Doveton has made it back-to-back victories for the first time this season with a 68-49 triumph over Tooradin.
The winless Seagulls didn’t make it easy by any means, winning two of the four quarters on offer, but when the Doves had the upper hand … they made it count.
They opened up with a 19-7 first quarter, then put the contest to bed with a dominant 22-10 third term.
Ladder leaders Narre Warren had the bye.
