The Bears secured a 10.13 (73) to 2.6 (18) Northern Country Women’s League victory against Kerang at the weekend on the back of Heron’s five majors — with each of them coming in textbook fashion.
‘‘The girls played a good style of footy and linked up across the ground well,’’ Shepparton coach Brad Smith said.
‘‘We were hitting targets everywhere and all of Sam’s five goals were set shots after we had hit her on the lead — it was great delivery.’’
When the silver platter was not there though Heron was just as influential, bringing those around her into the game with a number of assists to be named among the Bears’ best players.
Ashlee Thorneycroft, Tearnie Brown (two goals), Zoe Courtney and Olivia Marshall were also impressive for the home side at Deakin Reserve as the Bears shook off an early challenge from the Blues to run away with the game.
‘‘They kicked with the breeze in the first quarter and went really long and direct,’’ Smith said.
‘‘Our backs and half-backs worked really hard to keep the pressure up.
‘‘We were pretty good with our ball use in the last quarter as well, across the ground I don’t think we had a weakness.’’
The win keeps Shepparton in second spot on the table with five wins and only one defeat to its name — a round three loss to Echuca.
‘‘We’re tracking nicely, we’ll look to keep building things for the rest of the season and we get another crack at Echuca before finals to see where we’re at,’’ Smith said.
‘‘It’s impressive to see how much a lot of the players individually and as a team have improved, it’s exciting.’’
Sophie Peacock was one of Kerang’s better performers with two majors, while Jemma Meehan and Jayde Maney also stood out.
●Mooroopna produced a stellar performance to come from behind in a win against Rumbalara.
The Cats trailed by three goals at half-time and seven points at the final break before securing a 10.8 (68) to 9.6 (60) triumph.
Brittany Tancred (five goals), Kiara Cooper (three), Shadelle Hood, Kristen Atkinson and Kayla Shepherd were crucial for Mooroopna in the result, while Belinda Baksh (four goals), Natarsha Bamblett (three) and Christina Ponting stood out for Rumba.
●Benalla had a favourable result against Nathalia at the weekend, winning 6.4 (40) to 4.2 (26) at Nathalia Recreation Reserve.
Brittany Button booted three goals for the Saints, with Fiona Powles, Kylie Relf and Alison Ballard also influential.
Abby Favaro snared two majors for the Purples, with Ellen Pinnuck and Sarah Bruce also battling hard.
●Echuca received a forfeit from Tatura to remain undefeated on top of the table.
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