Former Lavington star Sarah Senini returned to her one-time home court for the first time since leaving to pilot 23 goals, while Bridget Cassar nabbed 15 in the 38-31 win.

The game was played at the Lavington Sportsground as part of the unique double header, with COVID restrictions not allowing the game to be played in Victoria in front of a crowd of more than 150.

"Our goal ring was great, Sarah shot incredibly and Bridget moved and worked so well, it's the first time they've played together and it's taken a little while to get use to each other (at training), being such dominant goalers, they were excellent," team-mate Annalise Grinter offered.

Yarrawonga carried a three-goal lead to quarter-time before blitzing the Pies with a 12-5 second term.

Wangaratta just couldn't break down the Pigeons' defence and, at the other hand, couldn't stop the opposition attack from scoring in its highest-scoring quarter.

That opened a 10-goal lead at the main break, with Wangaratta then out-scoring the Pigeons 19-16.

Both teams were missing gun players with Yarrawonga co-coach Hannah Symes on holidays and set to miss another week, while Amanda Umanski was unavailable.

"We worked together really well and with Hannah Symes away and Amanda for them, it was a different match-up in the goal ring," Grinter revealed of the positional set-up.

"But Tilly Kennedy stepped up in Hannah's absence and she was brilliant in defence."

Grinter herself was outstanding in what was the club's first game in five weeks, while Wangaratta had missed four due to the scheduled interleague break and then Victoria's COVID lockdown.

"It was a great win, it was a bit of a worry that we haven't played for five weeks," Grinter said.

"We were a little bit nervous about whether we'd string a game together after such a long time, but we're rapt."

Wangaratta coach Kellie Keen bagged 15 goals and Grace Patterson 12, with livewire centre Issy Byrne and Hannah Grady superb.

Yarrawonga has now jumped above the Pies into second spot.

The Pigeons have had just the one loss, to grand finalists Corowa-Rutherglen, which remains unbeaten as it looks to snare that elusive premiership.

ALSO IN SPORT:

The Pies should bounce back when they face second bottom Wodonga Raiders next week, while Yarrawonga hosts Lavington.

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