NORTH Wangaratta has put itself back in the Ovens and King finals mix following a four-goal win over King Valley on Saturday.
The Hawks had slipped out of the top eight after dropping six of their previous seven matches, and needed to beat the Roos to maintain any hope of clawing their way back in.
In a round that was largely made up of blowouts, this was one game that stayed tight from start to finish.
It was the Roos who made the early running, building a six-goal buffer by halftime thanks largely to the stellar play Tierney Bromley, Amber Vincent and Lorissa Stemmer.
But North Wangaratta came storming back in the third term, turning the ball over with athletic intercepts and firing it into shooters Kate Jenkin (30 goals) and Rochelle Knights (18), who made the most of their opportunities.
All in all, the Hawks outscored the Roos 16-10 in the period to lock the scores up at 38 apiece, paving the way for an enthralling final quarter.
The Hawks simply picked up where they left off.
Both sides lifted their defensive intensity and goals were getting harder to come by.
But Knights and Jenkin continued to combine well, while Nicole Hogan and Janelle Gambold starred further down the court, and when the final whistle sounded North Wangaratta had the win it so desperately needed, getting up 48-44.
- Bright has improved significantly of late, and that was evident as the Mountain Maidens pushed Whorouly all the way.
While the Lions won the match by 14 goals, Bright showed enough to suggest it could well cause an upset or two against more fancied opponents Benalla, North Wangaratta and Moyhu in the weeks to come.
The Lions led by just five goals at three quarter time, with Peta Cherry, Gemma O'Donnell and Katie Thomson keeping Bright in the hunt.
But Whorouly took the game away from the Mountain Maidens in the final term, with Sally Chalmers, Kelly Cousins and Ashley Dent sending the Lions on the 15-6 run that led to a 47-33 win.
- In the battle between former Benalla and District league rivals, Goorambat and Swanpool, the Bats proved superior, holding onto their spot in the top four with a 54-38 victory.
The Button girls, Kylie and Nicole, fired in 49 goals between them, while Kate Brunt and Elise Smith also starred for the Bats.
The Swans, led by Kathryn Riddock, Meagan James and Rebecca Bradshaw, battled hard, but were constantly playing catch up after being outscored 13-7 in the second term.
- Tarrawingee rattled off its fourth straight win, getting over Tatong by 28 goals exactly the number scored by sharp shooter Amanda Parker in a best on court display.
- Milawa maintained its spot atop the ladder with a typically dominant display against Bonnie Doon, with Marsha McMonigle and Kate Finnigan superb in the 75-10 triumph.
- Greta blew Moyhu away with 36 goals to 10 during the second and third quarters, with Ainslee Bennett the Blues' player in the 62-27 victory,
- while Alara Jones and Joanne Toms fired as Benalla inflicted a 31-goal defeat on Glenrowan.
By - SCOTT ANDERSON.
PUSHING THE LIMIT: Milawa's Kyra Hunt gets in between two Bonnie Doon defenders to try and get the ball on Saturday.
PHOTO: Marc Bongers
Last Modified on 25/07/2012 16:45