Goorambat round two vs King Valley

Goorambat 5-3 11-7 16-10 21-14 (140)

Whorouly 2-1 2-2 2-3 4-5 (29)

The seniors were determined to make amends of their loss last week with a win in their first home game of the year, and they did not let the home crowd down with a good four-quarter performance.

The boys were winning it out of the middle thanks to some great ruck work from Darcy Edgar, giving the on-ballers plenty of the ball, with plenty of entries into the forward half where Brush Haebich was dangerous in front of goal.

Sam Gladstone played a great game across half-back, with support from Lachy Boyle, Rhys Goodley and Joel Bate with some strong play around the ground.

It was a good team effort with best players hard to pick, which was pleasing to see with the new look team that should get better with each game they play together.

Best players: Brush Haebich (Peter Davis Rural), Sam Gladstone (Goorambat Railway Hotel), Lachy Boyle (Hollywoods Pizza), Darcey Edgar (Bill Bo Pop), Joel Bate (Club Award), Rhys Goodley (St James Hotel).

Goals: Brush Haebich 6, Travers Nolan 3, Rhys Goodley 2, Kobe Black 2, Dylan Beavis 2, Jamie Dunne 2, Charles Hunter 1, Lachy Boyle 1, Sully Malay 1, Darcy Edgar 1.

A-grade

Bats 25, King Valley 41

It was a beautiful sunny day at Goorambat and the game started fast. Both sides worked hard and created many turnovers. Kylie Relf had an outstanding game, showing her versatility through mid-court and in the goal ring. Piper Nally and Molly Doidge were strong in the mid-court with amazing speed and drives. Jasmine Martin performed well both in shooting and wing defence adding height into our defensive mid-court.

Although Bats didn’t get the win, they improved on last week’s game.

Awards: First — Kylie Relf (Goorambat Railway Hotel). Second — Jasmine Martin (Maddison Jane Hair). Third — Molly Doidge (Terry White Pharmacy). Fourth — Piper Nally (Subway).

Reserves

G Bat 4-0 6-1 8-2 9-5 (59)

King Valley 0-1 2-3 4-4 6-6 (42)

The reserves had one of the best teams for a long time against King Valley at their home ground on Saturday and did start well, winning plenty of the ball out of the middle with Matt Priest up forward capitalising on the scoreboard.

With Cooper McCoy in for his first game of the year, with his typical strong play, he won plenty of the ball. He was supported by Henry Sadaya and John House around the ground.

This was a great and long-awaited win for the boy and should give them plenty of confidence going forward for the rest of the year.

Best players: Cooper McCoy (Bouwmeesters Bakery), Henry Sadaya (Royal Hotel), Josh Heylbut (Sportspower), John House (Subway), Matthew Priest (Maccas Knife Sharpening and Mowing), Josh Stacey (Club Award).

Goals: Matt Priest 4, Cooper McCoy 2, Josh Stacey 1, Josh Canty 1, D. Barber 1.

B-grade

Bats 33, King Valley 29

The Bats did their homework from last week and came out with a more controlled and structured game. From the first whistle it was going to be close. Valley showed great accuracy in its goal ring and speed across the court.

Our mid-courters showed great control and persistence. Olivia Hayes, Elise Nolan, Molly Doidge all worked effortlessly to feed to goalies Aneiki Pierce and Lisa Johnson.

The last quarter was a nailbiter with goal for goal between them, the Batters kept their cool and pulled away with a brilliant four-goal win.

Awards: First — Aneiki Pierce (Di Cleaning cash). Second — Olivia Hayes (Bill bo Pop). Third — Madeline Thomas (Maccas Knife Sharpening and Mowing).

B-reserve

Bats 14, King Valley 30

The team has improved from last weekend, showing it is able to implement new skills on court. The defensive pressure across the whole team was constant and led to multiple turnovers by defenders Ruby Martin and Kate Nolan. Hannah Coote and Grace Handley in the mid-court were two players who gave 100 per cent despite the score. The whole team should be proud of its commitment and efforts so far.

Awards: First — Ruby Martin (Royal Hotel). Second — Kate Nolan (Jenny Milner Pharmacy). Third — Grace Handley (Rambling Rose).

C-grade

Bats 51, King Valley 38

With perfect weather conditions, it was a tough battle for the Bats as Valley was tall and fast. The game started off very even with King Valley up by one goal at quarter-time. Our goalers had it rough with Sophie Hammond and Poppy Broomhall keeping their cool and rotating well in the ring. With the scores neck and neck throughout the whole game, the Bats’ defenders worked hard with Lacey Carter and Eleanor Renkin fighting for intercepts and getting turnovers in the ring. Molly Martin put plenty of defensive pressure down the court, keeping the Valley to five goals in the last quarter. Charli Button, Ella Parrant and Matilda Hopkins set up a lot of defensive pressure, making King Valley work hard to get the ball to its goalers. The girls put in their all and came together as a team to bring home the win.

Awards: First — Molly Martin (Hume Solar Cash Award). Second — Sophie Hammond (SportsPower). Third — Lacey Carter (Spot 4 Icecream). Fourth — Charli Button (Chill Out Smoothie Bar). Encouragement award — Poppy Broomhall (Hume Solar Cash Award).

Under-15s

Bats 7, King Valley 47

The girls started off with a strong structure, securing the first goal of the game. Willow Hamill and Ella Hogan worked tirelessly with shooters Pippa Martin and Yolanda Bourke in the attacking third showing great movement and skill which carried across the four quarters. Amelia Keen, Amelia Feldtmann and Amali Mackenzie showed great improvement with their defensive skills, making the King Valley shooters work hard for the ball. The team has shown signs of improvement after only one game playing together, well done team.

Awards: First — Amali Mackenzie (Hollywoods Pizza). Second — Ella Hogan (Chill out Smoothie Bar). Third — Pippa Martin (Spot 4 Icecream).