THE Ellinbank District Netball Association went into finals mode on the weekend, with the A-grade contenders facing off in elimination contests.
Poowong v Nilma-Darnum
The first quarter started at a frantic pace, with both teams keen to make an impact early.
The windy conditions played a part in the accuracy of the goalers and proved particularly costly to Darnum.
Poowong led at the first change 10 to eight.
Poowong found its rhythm for a strong start to the second term.
Darnum retaliated with a brief patch of form to score four quick goals in succession, but it was Poowong’s defensive pressure that created many opportunities enabling it to pull away to a six-goal lead. Some positional changes at half-time gave Darnum a lift as it clawed its way back to a one-goal margin.
Poowong responded by lifting its intensity.
Key intercepts from association best-and-fairest, Janis Mackay in goal defence and accurate shooting from her veteran teammate, Prue Blackwood, shifted the game’s momentum again for a four-goal lead to Poowong.
Darnum found Poowong’s zone defence difficult to penetrate, resulting in turnovers to Poowong.
Late in the quarter Darnum staged a brave comeback led by Jane Moss in goals, but the more disciplined Poowong team took the game by four.
Final score Poowong 42 d Nilma-Darnum 38.
Best on court: Poowong goal defence, Janis Mackay.
Warragul Industrials v Cora Lynn
The game started very physically as both teams found it hard to settle into their own game.
Sloppy passes and poor decisions resulted in numerous turnovers for both sides.
Both teams worked hard and found goals difficult to come by for the Dusties to take a one-goal lead at the first break.
All players settled into the second quarter early, but the Dusties were able to convert their possessions more effectively and led Cora Lynn 15-12 at the midway point.
Cora Lynn made some half-time changes and came out firing with six unanswered goals to take control of the game. The quarter saw a five-goal turnaround for Cora Lynn to lead into the final term 23-21. Again Cora Lynn came into the last quarter on fire, scoring four goals in succession.
Both teams continued to play with plenty of determination and intensity, with strong contests for every possession.
Cora Lynn maintained its lead to book a spot in the semi-final 31 to 27.
Best on court: Dusties goalkeeper Lucy Monahan.
