Yarrawonga 46 def Wangaratta 44
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Yarrawonga’s A Grade side has strengthened its hold on a top-three position with a hard-fought two goal victory over Wangaratta in an entertaining A Grade contest.
The Pigeons welcomed back key defender Hannah Symes from injury, and her return could not have come at a better time. Symes' height and presence in the defensive circle proved invaluable against star Wangaratta goaler Amanda Umanski, helping the Pigeons limit the Magpies' scoring opportunities throughout the opening half.
Yarrawonga's defensive pressure was outstanding from the opening whistle, forcing Wangaratta into rushed decisions and making every goal hard-earned.
At the other end of the court, the Pigeons' attack was clinical, converting with exceptional accuracy to establish an early advantage.
As expected, the Magpies refused to go away and mounted a determined comeback after half-time.
They gradually worked their way back into the contest and drew level during a tense final quarter, setting up a thrilling finish.
With the game on the line, Yarrawonga's experience shone through.
The attacking combination found another gear in the closing minutes, creating space in the goal circle and converting under pressure to edge clear and secure an important two-goal victory.
Goal shooter Maddy Allan was once again outstanding, producing a superb display of accuracy by converting 25 of her 27 attempts to play a pivotal role in the win. Liv Lovell was also influential with another polished all-round performance, while the return of Symes added stability to the defensive end.
The 46-44 victory keeps the Pigeons firmly on course for another top-three finish as they continue to build momentum towards the finals.
Awards: Maddy Allan and Liv Lovell.
B Grade
Yarrawonga 51 def Wangaratta 41
Yarrawonga burst out of the blocks once again, setting the tone early with the dynamic shooting combination of Ellie Urquhart and Sarah Moore proving unstoppable under the post.
Capitalising on every turnover and converting with precision, the Pigeons established a strong 17–10 quarter-time lead.
The defensive pressure applied across the entire court was relentless, creating havoc for the Magpies and forcing numerous errors.
Yarrawonga's intensity and work rate never dropped, with every player contributing regardless of their position or time on court.
It was another impressive display of the depth, resilience and team-first mentality that has become a hallmark of this Yarrawonga side.
No matter who stepped onto the court, the fight and commitment remained constant, allowing the Pigeons to maintain control throughout the contest and secure a well-deserved 10-goal victory.
C Grade
Yarrawonga 37 def by Wangaratta 55
Yarrawonga’s C Grade side showed plenty of fight against a strong Wangaratta outfit on Saturday, despite going down by 18 goals.
The Pigeons never dropped their heads, continuing to pressure the contest for four quarters and showing the resilience that has become a trademark of the group.
There were patches of excellent ball movement through the midcourt, with Miley Driscoll and Helena West providing plenty of drive up the court.
The defensive unit worked tirelessly to create turnovers against a polished Magpies attack, with Leni Ramsdale debuting.
Although the scoreboard didn’t fall Yarrawonga’s way, the match provided valuable lessons and highlighted areas the side can build on heading into the final rounds.
With plenty of determination and a willingness to keep competing until the final whistle, the Pigeons will take confidence from their effort as they continue their development this season
Under 17s
Yarrawonga 35 def by Wangaratta 71
Yarrawonga’s Under 17s faced a tough challenge against Wangaratta Magpies, going down 35–71. Despite the result, the girls showed plenty of determination and fought hard throughout the game.
The defensive end worked hard to create pressure and contest every ball, while the midcourt continued to drive the ball forward and provide great feeds into the goal circle.
In attack, the shooters showed great patience and worked hard to create opportunities under pressure.
The girls continued to fight until the final whistle and can take plenty of positives from the game as they look to build on their performance in the weeks ahead.
Best: Kendall Connell and Mabel Cope
Under 15s
Yarrawonga 25 def by Wangaratta 60
Yarrawonga’s Under 15s faced a tough challenge against Wangaratta Magpies this week, taking to the court with a depleted side due to several players being unavailable.
Despite the setback, the girls showed plenty of determination, battling hard from the opening whistle until the final siren.
They stuck to their team structures, worked tirelessly for one another and did everything they could to remain competitive throughout the match. While the result didn’t fall Yarrawonga’s way, the team’s resilience and never-give-up attitude was a real highlight.
A special thank you goes to Amelie Coll for stepping in to help the team. Amelie made an excellent contribution and played a fantastic game, earning the respect of her teammates with a standout performance.
Coach’s Award: Sophia Connell. Players’ Player: Amelie Coll