YARRAWONGA has avenged its first-round loss to Corowa Rutherglen with a 27-goal thumping at JC Lowe Oval.
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An 18-4 goal second quarter busted the top-five contest apart as the Pigeons’ shooters Bridget Cassar and Abbey Jones made the most of their side’s mid-court dominance.
The win leaves Yarrawonga two points clear at the top of the table.
But, in an ominous warning for the rest of the competition, coach Kaitlyn Cummins said they needed to lift a gear in the run towards the finals.
“We were great in that second quarter but needed to carry that into the second half,” she said.
“But to Corowa’s credit they built up the defensive pressure in the mid-court by filling up the spaces.
“It prevented us from playing the sort of fast, free-flowing game that we like to play.
“We know we have to lift our game for September.”
Cummins said it was the need to be consistent over four quarters that would drive their run into the finals.
“Everyone is back now so we need to pick up the intensity at training — the weather is so different in that last month that you have to be super-fit,” she said.
Cummins said the Pigeons had been fired up to reverse their two-point first round loss to the Roos.
“There is no question that we took them too lightly in the first round,” she said.
“But at the same time we didn’t have Hannah Symes in defence or Sarah Leslie on the court.
“And Abbey Jones at goal attack just gets better each week, she is a very smart netballer.”
Cummins said Corowa Rutherglen’s shooter Simone Hanrahan was a standout for the opposition, shooting 30 of the Roos 31 goals.
Meanwhile, North Albury has survived a spirited Tiger’s performance at Albury Sportground to keep its hopes of a top-three finish on track.
North Albury led by one at half-time and two at the final break before holding on 32-31 in cold and windy conditions.
“It was a typical North Albury and Albury clash,” said Hoppers’ coach Fiona Boyer.
“We know we have to win each week and that means tight games like this need to fall our way — so we’ll take the points and without looking too closely at the game move on to next week against Lavington.
“Kimberly Opdam and Sara Jane Farrell were terrific all day, while Jacqui Netwon adds another dimension in the circle defensively.
“She is terrifically athletic but has a turn of speed that sees her get to loose balls in the circle.”