Sport

GVL ǀ Gallery ǀ Dees, Magpies stay the course with important victories

By James Kleeman

Jul 24, 2022

Looking for an option: Shepparton United’s Laura Cole loads up a pass. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Victories from nearly all of the Goulburn Valley League A-grade netball top six ensured there’s little to separate any of the competition’s powerhouses after round 14.

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But at the other half of the ladder, a number of crushing losses have dealt significant blows to finals’ hopes for a handful of struggling sides.

Headlining the weekend’s action was a blistering Shepparton United performance.

Pressure on: Shepparton United’s Olivia Kirby and Mooroopna’s Sarah Bohn try to find space. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The Dees were simply too strong for their Mooroopna counterparts on Saturday afternoon, coming away from Deakin Reserve with a resounding 54-36 victory.

The win has the Demons keeping the heat on ladder-leaders Seymour, who face the Cats in an intriguing clash next week.

Euroa managed to fend off a beleaguered Shepparton Swans outfit, who took it up to the fourth-placed Magpies on Saturday despite a lengthy injury list.

Midcourt maestro: Shepparton United’s Laura Cole looks forward. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Euroa, who was without the services of playing-coach Ellie Warnock, who sustained a broken finger last weekend, would seal an eventual 51-46 win to consolidate its top four position.

Young Swans Emelia Mercuri and Harriet Gall performed well in the mid-court and in goals, receiving strong support from Sophie Atkinson.

Sitting just shy of Euroa are Echuca, who recorded a clinical 60-47 win over Tatura at Victoria Park.

Getting set: Mooroopna’s Sarah Bohn prepares for a shot. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Belinda Lees was best-on in game number 50 for her side, while Bianca Willis and Jacquie James also starred in the mid-court and goals respectively.

Despite a fifth-placing, the Murray Bombers will almost certainly present a serious challenge to all they come up against in the coming months.

A number of teams will now look to play for a hotly-contested sixth spot, but at the moment, it’s Shepparton’s for the taking, after the Bears secured a much-needed 56-36 win over Mansfield.