Montmorency 2 produced their sixth consecutive win in the 2023 Division 3 Women’s campaign, after defeating second-placed Heidelberg West by 16 points at Heidelberg Park.
The Magpies led at every change, keeping the Hawks scoreless for two terms on their way to a 4.4 (28) to 2.0 (12) triumph.
Both sides now sit with 6-2 record’s and while they sit eight points behind top side Wallan, each team looks all but assured to play finals football in 2023.
Ashleigh Bayes was outstanding for the visitors, with two goals, which included the match-sealing major in the final term, while Caitlyn McLeod and Maddi-Taylor Wilde also impressed throughout the afternoon.
Adelle Missen and Jess Morris stood out for the home side and were two of four players celebrating milestones for the Hawks on the day. Meanwhile, Ashleigh Riley kicked both goals, now making it nine majors in her last three games.
A small breeze worked in Montmorency’s favour to start the battle as they looked to build on their brilliant winning streak.
Nicole Williams opened the scoring for the away side after positioning herself perfectly at the back of the contest to find the big sticks.
Tahlia Morgan and Ashleigh Bayes then combined well to produce the Magpies’ second goal of the quarter. Morgan won the one-on-one contest, using her pace and height as an advantage to set up Bayes as she kicked truly running into the open goal.
Despite being unable to register a score in the opening quarter, a highlight for Heidelberg West was Sophie Foote. She had multiple possessions and intercepts at half-back to ensure no further damage was inflicted on her side.
The Hawks trailed by 13 points at quarter time but had a bit more of a spring in their step in the second term with the wind in their backs.
HEIDELBERG WEST: 0.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 (12)
GOALS: Ashleigh Riley 2.
BEST: Adelle Missen, Jessica Morris, Molly Reinke, Crystal Grech, Emily O”keefe, Taya Barnett.
MONTMORENCY (2): 0.0 0.0 4.4 4.4 (28)
GOALS: Ashleigh Bayes 2, Sian Capito, Nicole Williams.
BEST: Caitlyn McLeod, Madison Boyle, Maddi-Taylor Wilde, Monique Migotto, Grayson Malloy, Tahila Morgan.
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Forward Ashleigh Riley utilised this opportunity, not wasting any time in getting her side’s first major of the match.
Crystal Grech was dominant in the ruck, as each hit-out won gave her more confidence to win the ball and gain clearances for the home side. Taya Barnett also stood up for the Hawks with her intercept work.
The Magpies were in the hunt throughout the second quarter but weren’t able to convert any attacking plays into scoreboard contributions. However, the courageous efforts of Caitlyn McLeod were on show for the visitors, proving to be a catalyst in helping her side maintain a nine-point advantage into the main break.
The wind slowed down in the third quarter which allowed both sides to perform without any outside influences.
It gave Ashleigh Riley the opportunity to kick her second goal of the game, which she took with both hands, to reduce Heidelberg West’s deficit to just three points.
The Hawks performed exceptionally well to get themselves back into the contest, forcing multiple stoppages to slow down their opponent’s ball movement.
But with the three-quarter time siren looming, Sian Capito managed to kick an important Montmorency major. It was her eighth goal of the season, and it ensured her side kept their nine-point advantage intact heading into the last term.
The energy was felt all around the ground ahead of a highly anticipated final quarter, knowing that the four points were vital for either side in the context of the season.
Early into the term, the match produced its best highlight, when Bayes gathered the football from a stoppage before snapping truly to kick her second goal of the afternoon. It proved to be the goal that sealed the win for Montmorency.
Heidelberg West didn’t put their heads down after that major, gaining plenty of possession in the hopes of mounting a comeback. But they couldn’t find another score for the match, as the Magpies finished 16-point victors.
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