Nobody passing the Bloods test

Beaconsfield star Danielle Cameron is a picture of concentration on Saturday. 194080 Pictures: ROB CAREW

By Nick Creely

OUTER EAST NETBALL

REVIEW – ROUND 6

PREMIER DIVISION

Just off the raw numbers, the pure dominance Olinda Ferny Creek is causing so far this year is quite simply astonishing.

Undefeated, averaging 85.4 goals a game and conceding just 31.8 against, all pillars of the court are in perfect order, and there seems to be no way of slowing them down.

The Bloods brushed aside the only real challenger in its wake on Saturday – a Beaconsfield group on its home court.

The game was set up by a dominant 13-4 first quarter, but the home side managed to claw its way back and now allow the Bloods to surge further ahead.

But, the eventual firepower of the Bloods proved too hot to handle for the Eagles, with the visitors keeping their undefeated start to the season alive with the 61-42 victory, sparked by a 34-goal second half.

As she has all year, Peri Stewart proved almost impossible to stop with 38 goals (taking her tally to 258 at an average of 51.6 per match), while the likes of Elly Stewart, Alice Paget and Madison Taylor were all instrumental across the court.

For the Eagles – who were remarkably competitive and got as close as any side to the Bloods this season – Danielle Cameron, Rylee Nelson and Danielle Roberts were all excellent despite the defeat.

Cranbourne, meanwhile, got the better of Berwick at Casey Fields to stay in touch with the top two, 45-33.

The Eagles are now just percentage behind Beaconsfield on second after a dominant first quarter set up the win.

At quarter time, the Eagles flexed their muscles to surge out to a 13-2 lead, and despite the Wickers showing plenty of fight in the second, the home side proved too strong across the four quarters.

In other games, Wandin pipped Upwey Tecoma in a thrilling 49-45 victory, while Woori Yallock disposed of Healesville at home, 63-20.

DIVISION 1

ROC surged two games clear atop the A Grade ladder with a tightly-fought win against an extremely competitive Mount Evelyn, 38-24.

The Rovers really pushed the Kangaroos early to be trailing by just a solitary goal at quarter time, but the class of the likes Emily McInnes, Emily La Roche and the firepower of Dorothea George kept the visitors to just one goal in the second term, setting up the comfortable win.

Doveton was also one of the big winners across the round, holding off Emerald at AJ Robinson Reserve, 48-39 to be within touching distance of the top five.

The Doves – led superbly by Cara Humbert, Hayley Stewart and Melissa Webster – had a lead at every change despite the Bombers never really going away in an encouraging performance.

Pakenham also banked a hugely important 49-43 win against Belgrave away from home, in a display that could be vital come the end of the season.

The Lions held their fifth spot on percentage after coming back from an early four-goal deficit at quarter time, controlling the game 41-31 after quarter time .

Mia Palmer was instrumental with 19 goals for the Lions, while Georgie Douglas and Rebecca Langford were brilliant.

In the final game of the round, Monbulk was a class above Warburton Millgrove, 54-39.