By JUDY ORREN
THE Yarra Valley travelled to Drouin on Saturday to take on Gippsland in what was to be a battle for ninth position in the state.
For the first time the Yarra Valley fielded an Under 17 netball team.
All players, coaches and support staff who gave up their time to participate in what is one of the biggest sporting days in the AFL VIC Country calendar are thanked for their efforts.
The support from clubs and players within the Yarra Valley was amazing, as the crowd was estimated to be well over 1500 people.
The conditions were perfect for football and netball.
Senior football
Gippsland 13.17 (95) d Yarra Valley 3.6 (24)
The outcome of the senior football was not what many expected.
The first quarter was an even tussle with Gippsland going into the first break with an 11-point lead.
Gippsland definitely could have had the game done and dusted in the first quarter if it kicked straight because it had eight scoring shots to two.
The second quarter was much the same, with Yarra Valley kicking 2.2 to 2.1.
The second quarter was a game of the centre half-back lines because no one could really break through the defences to gain any real advantage.
The margin at half-time was 10 points.
The boys needed to come out firing in the third quarter if they were going to make headway.
Gippsland played the ground better in the third and were full of running, as Yarra Valley were caught ball watching and being second to the ball.
Gippsland kicked 3.5 to 2 points to extend their lead to 31 points at three-quarter time.
It was time now for the Yarra Valley boys to dig deep and try to make some inroads into the deficit.
Gippsland had other ideas and completely dominated in the last, kicking 6.5 to 0.1 to run away with a 71-point win.
Yarra Valley best players: Scott Dwyer (Wandin – 1 goal; named best on ground), Luke McKenna (Emerald), Damon Kift (Mt Evelyn), Tom Stubley (Belgrave), Ben Miller (Healesville), Michael Batten (Woori Yallock).
Under 18s football
Gippsland 11.11 (77) d Yarra Valley 7.7 (49)
This game started out evenly with Gippsland kicking 2.3 to 2.1 in the first quarter.
The second quarter was also a game of keepings off, with Gippsland kicking three goals to two in the second.
It went into half-time with a 6-point lead.
Cory Glass was a target up forward and the boys needed to start to fire in the centre.
The backline was holding tough.
The third quarter saw Gippsland come out with more intensity and managed to stretch their lead to 16 points at three-quarter time by kicking 2.6 to 1.2.
The last quarter was definitely won by Gippsland as it ran away with the win by kicking 4 goals to 2.
The boys battled hard all day, but just could not get the run they needed to outclass Gippsland.
Yarra Valley best players: Cory Glass (Healesville – 3 goals; was named best on ground), Stuart Horner (Olinda Ferny Creek), Riley Aldous (Yea), Drew Benson (Woori Yallock) and Jesse Fraser (Mt Evelyn).
Open netball
Yarra Valley 64 d Gippsland 38
The Yarra Valley team started this game in fine form with Sarah Hogan shooting 11 goals and Melissa Martinov shooting 6 to take a very handy 11-goal lead at the first change.
By half-time, the Yarra Valley had extended its lead to 20 goals.
The third quarter was tighter, with Gippsland shooting 12 goals to Yarra Valley’s 13.
The fourth quarter was won by Yarra Valley shooting 19 goals to 14.
The dominance of Ella Priestley in wing attack and the defensive structure headed by Ty Coppinger, Gretta Hankinson and Riley Gentle, well and truly outclassed Gippsland across the court.
Yarra Valley best players: Sarah Hogan (Yea – 32 goals; was named best on court), Ty Coppinger (Wandin), Ella Priestley (Wandin), Melissa Martinov (Wandin – 23 goals). Rachel Hickey (Mt Evelyn – 4 goals).
Under 17s netball
Gippsland 41 d Yarra Valley 35
The day started with the Under 17s netball.
The girls got out to a flying start, shooting 12 goals to 7 in the first quarter.
Ash Saunders had a string on the ball, shooting 11.
Gippsland came back in the second, shooting 14 goals to 8 and holding a one-goal lead at half-time.
Gippsland dominated in the third by shooting 12 to 4.
The Yarra Valley fought back in the fourth, outscoring Gippsland by three, but could not make up the deficit.
Yarra Valley best players: Stephanie Durant (Warburton Millgrove was named best on court), Cate Garlick (Yea), Tayla Harris (Wandin), Sinead Lumsden (11 goals), Ash Saunders (22 goals).
The Under 17s Girls will be representing the Yarra Valley at the Netball Victoria Association Championships at Leongatha on Sunday 14 June.
The finals will be held on Sunday 28 June at Waverley Netball Centre, Wheelers Hill.
