A Grade
Neither Monbulk (sixth) nor Pakenham (eighth) were in the running for a finals spot and both sides were playing for pride only. A large and vocal crowd watched the match and cheered on their respective teams as both sides were keen to finish the year with a positive showing. The court had dried out in time for this match and it allowed for a fast and interesting tustle. Monbulk’s defensive half put enormous pressure on the Lions, restricting them to just 19 goals for the first three quarters as the Hawks held a commanding ten goal lead. The final term opened up a bit more and Monbulk won that period 14-11 to clinch a well earned 13-goal victory. They will aim for back-to-back wins to finish off the year next week against traditional rivals Upwey-Tecoma, who are currently seventh.
Pakenham 30 def by Monbulk 43
Best: Jamie Clark, Peri Reid, Abbey Whitaker
Goals: Peri Reid 33, Jen Dewhurst 10
B Grade
The match of the day as far as netball went was played in B Grade. On a wet and slippery court both sides gave it their all in a day long arm-wrestle. Pakenham had a handy three-goal break by quarter time but Monbulk then stormed back to take a one goal lead into half time. A 12-8 third term by Pakenham left the Lions with a lead of three at the last change. The Hawks fought back in a nail biting finish as the crowd were erupting to the play of both sides. When the final siren sounded Pakenham had snatched a one-goal win in a match where both teams had given their all.
Pakenham 43 def Monbulk 42
Best: Rihanna Kelly, Elizabeth Cutting, Chloe Schmidtke
Goals: Paige Rondinella 37, Chloe Schmidtke 5
C Grade
Pakenham’s C Grade team still had a minor chance of making finals and played a determined match against the Hawks. Monbulk conceded a six goal lead at quarter time but were able to reduce it to three by half time. In the second half the Lions regained control of the game and ran out 15 goal winners. A highlight for Monbulk was the play of D Grade’s Kate Smith, who was named Monbulk’s best player in consecutive matches when she filled in for C Grade. Kate is also captain of the Monbulk Under 16s girls football team and is a member of the Eastern Ranges development squad.
Pakenham 35 def Monbulk 20
Best: Kate Smith, Laura Del Biondo, Courtney Witt
Goals: Jamie Sands 18, Kate Smith 2
D Grade
Monbulk faced the fourth placed Pakenham side in treacherous conditions on a slippery wet court where a number of players came to grief. The young Hawks left their best play to the second half where they were competitive and put together several promising chains of play.
Pakenham 30 def Monbulk 10
Best: Kate Smith, Jessica Steele, Leah Hansby
Goals: Kate Smith 9, Eireann Lawson 1
