The youthful Hoppers played superbly in falling 47-42 to the defending champion.

“I think our girls played absolutely fantastic to be honest,” Sara-Jane Farrell said.

“I think the key with Yarrawonga, any side playing against them, is you actually need to put in a four-quarter effort.

“There was probably a period of maybe five minutes that we, not slackened off, but Yarrawonga got on top of us and that sealed the deal.

“Yarrawonga is so good at putting in that 60-minute effort together, it’s very hard to find periods of Yarrawonga not playing their best netball, so it definitely has to be a 60-minute performance by any team in the competition if they want to beat them.”

The Pigeons grabbed a four-goal lead in the first term and only added to that by a solitary goal.

Jordan Farrugia, Nikita Singe and Emily Browne were named as the Hoppers’ best.

“They played amazing those girls, they definitely shut down their opponents really well,” Farrell said.

“Elyse Boyer and Nikita Singe played amazing in the defensive circle together to shut down Bridget (Cassar).”

The Pigeons’ coach scored 26 goals, while recruit Gemma O’Sullivan posted 20.

Annalise Grinter was superb for the visitors, while Toni Wilson Medallist  Hannah Symes featured.

“Hannah’s definitely the key that we watch out for in the defensive end,” Farrell said.

“She knows when to float and pick off the ball, and she’s very hard to work around, she’s amazing.”

Meanwhile, Lavington grabbed a 16-goal win over Corowa-Rutherglen.

The Panthers jumped the Roos in the first quarter, racking up a seven-goal lead, before consistently building on the margin to win 54-38.

Alison Meani shot 29 goals, while the Roos’ Sophie Hanrahan scored 30.

Hanrahan was outstanding, proving a constant danger, along with Stephanie Clancy and Ella Kingston.

Lavington defenders Sarah Meredith and Kate Yensch showed just how difficult they’ll be to counter, while Maddy Lloyd also contributed.

And Wodonga Raiders proved too strong for Myrtleford, 40-27.

Georgia Thomas grabbed 23 goals for the home side, while Raiders’ defence restricted Myrtleford’s scoring options, Amber Quirk with 12.

Alyssa Donaldson and Brooke Pryse were Raiders’ best, while Chloe Breen and Grace Taberner toiled well.