Things are tight at the top on the Ovens and Murray FNL ladder with Albury leading the way on six wins. The next four teams are all on five wins.
The big mover has been Wangaratta after losing its first three games have now risen to second place with five straight victories. A bye this week will likely see them drop down a rung or two.
The Wangaratta Rovers finished too strong for Yarrawonga to win a high-standard encounter by 32 points.
Yarrawonga led by 12 points during the third quarter before the Rovers led by young gun Toby Murray, Tom Baulch and Michael Clarke restored an 18-point lead at the final change.
Clarke was able to keep leading goal kicker Leigh Williams to two goals. With Cody Schutt, Sam Murray and Will Nolan in great form the Rover’s defence is emerging as good as any in the comp.
Albury has moved to the top of the ladder following a super impressive 44-point win over Wodonga. Another best-on-ground effort from Tigers Riley Bice led the charge.
The Tiger’s pace and pressure around the ball played a huge role in the win with Tom O’Brien, Jake Gaynor, Elliot Powell, Bryden Hodgson and Jake Page superb.
Jacob Conlan made a welcome return kicking three goals, an amount matched by Jeff Garlett and Bice. Albury booted six goals to one in the first quarter to set up the win.
Angus Baker made a great return from injury gathering 42 possessions, while Josh Mathey with 30 possessions and Oscar Wilding (3 goals) were the Doggie’s best.
Wodonga after winning its first five games has now dropped to fourth – they travel to Yarrawonga this week with a position in the top three on the line.
Lavington has kept alive its slim finals chances with a 40-point win over Wodonga Raiders at the Lavington Sportsground.
Jake O’Brien with four goals was best for Lavington who set up the win with a four-goal to-North Albury nothing first quarter. Once again poor conversion cost Lavington a bigger win and percentage boost.
The Panthers had 31 scoring shots to 16. The third quarter of Lavington which netted seven goals was some of its best for the season with Tom Hargreave and Jack Kirley dominating.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen was best for the Raiders, along with Tom Bracher, Beau O’Neil, Lewis Walters, Brad St John and Ned Conway.
Raiders will get a wonderful chance this Saturday to grab its first win when they host Myrtleford who were beaten easily at home by the rampant Wangaratta.
The Magpies were in a ruthless mood winning by 112 points despite missing key forwards Ben Reid and Michael Newton.
Not a problem when a team has the calibre of Cal Moore in your side – he stepped up with a ten-goal and 24-possession game to dominate along with midfield star Daniel Sharrock.
Wangaratta built its percentage with an eight-goal final term as the Saints felt the pain of not kicking a goal in both the second and final terms.
Kyle Winter-Irving, Mitch Dalbosco, Ashton McPherson and Elijah Wales were best for the Saints who must rebound quickly ahead of this week’s clash with Raiders.
NETBALL
The round of netball matches delivered some epic contests with none better than the brilliant come-from-behind win by the Raiders over Lavington.
Raiders came from four goals down at three-quarter time to defeat Lavington by one goal 45-44 with former Panther Emily Stewart the star for Raiders.
Taylor Donelan shot the last of her game tallying 35 goals in the final twenty seconds to allow Raiders to jump ahead of Lavington into fourth place and equal third.
Another pulsating contest unfolded at Myrtleford when Wangaratta held on to beat the home side 35-34 and move into outright second position.
The return of Amanda Umanski has been massive for the Magpies. Kate Dean, Issy Newton and Hannah Grady helped set up Georgia Clark as she shot 19 goals in a low-scoring nailbiter.
Albury reignited its finals hopes with a 66-45 win over Wodonga with young gun Lilly Howe shooting 46 gls and Niamh Thorn starring. They have a massive home game this week against Lavington.
Top side Yarrawonga despite missing several key players made it seven wins in a row beating Wangaratta Rovers 73-43 with veteran Sarah Moore nailing 46 goals.
