By David Nagel
It was a great day for the away teams in West Gippsland netball on Saturday with all five visiting teams driving away with the four points.
But, ironically, it was the effort of one of the losing home teams that deserves first mention this week with a winless Cora Lynn almost pulling off the surprise of the season against undefeated Tooradin-Dalmore.
The Seagulls kept their unbeaten record intact, winning 42-35, but not before getting one hell of a scare from the home side at the Cobradome.
Both teams started brightly in an entertaining first term, with the Seagulls ahead by three, 14-11, at quarter time.
Bianca Douglas (GS) and Gemma Stacey (GA) kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Cobras, while Alex Maher (GS) and Alex Duff (GA) were even more productive at the opposite end of the court.
The Seagulls would have expected to forge clear in the second quarter, but the Cobras had other ideas.
With Maddi Taylor (C), Ellie Keen (WA) and Rhi Haines (WD) providing great drive through the midcourt, and Dani Cameron (GD) and Emily Brook (GK) causing deflections and intercepts in defence, the Cobras outscored the Gulls by 10 to 5 to open up an unexpected 21-19 lead at half time.
Being given a serious scare, the Seagulls threw the bibs around for the second half with not one player starting the third quarter in the same position as the second term.
Alex Maher (GA) had a huge impact in the third, scoring 12 of her teams 13 goals as the Gulls took the upper hand.
Jess Maher (GK) and Ebony Mason (GD) gritted their teeth in defence, while Sara Howie (C), Zoe Coventry (WA) and Stacey Sawyer (WD) started to dictate terms through the midcourt.
The Seagulls led 32-28 at the final break, before edging clear of a brave Cora Lynn side in the final quarter.
The Gulls host a dangerous Dalyston this week while the Cobras face another tough challenge against the undefeated Nar Nar Goon.
RESULTS – ROUND 4
Cora Lynn 35 v Tooradin-Dalmore 42, Dalyston 33 v Inverloch-Kongwak 43, Garfield 51 v Phillip Island 55, Kilcunda Bass 0 v Nar Nar Goon 20, Kooweerup 18 v Bunyip 85, Warragul Industrials 35 v Korumburra-Bena 56.
FIXTURE – ROUND 5
Bunyip v Warragul Industrials, Korumburra-Bena v Garfield, Nar Nar Goon v Cora Lynn, Phillip Island v Inverloch-Kongwak, Tooradin-Dalmore v Dalyston. Kooweerup – Bye.
A GRADE LADDER W L D F A % PTS
Inverloch-Kongwak A Grade 4 0 0 203 91 223.08 16
Tooradin-Dalmore 4 0 0 179 91 196.70 16
Nar Nar Goon 4 0 0 188 111 169.37 16
Phillip Island 4 0 0 179 126 142.06 16
Bunyip 3 1 0 254 134 189.55 12
Dalyston 3 1 0 139 84 165.48 12
Korumburra Bena 1 3 0 140 164 85.37 4
Warragul Industrials 1 3 0 145 229 63.32 4
Cora Lynn 0 4 0 118 181 65.19 0
Garfield 0 4 0 159 226 70.35 0
Koo Wee Rup 0 4 0 80 267 29.96 0
Kilcunda Bass 0 4 0 0 80 0.00 0
