There were highs and lows for Violet Town’s footy and netball teams at the weekend.
Football
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17-and-Under
The Violet Town team started well and put pressure on Avenel and didn’t make it easy for them to get it to their shooters.
Avenel did the same to Violet Town which made it a tight first quarter and set up the game for Violet Town to do well.
In the second quarter Avenel increased the defensive pressure which forced Violet Town to make some ball-handling errors, which Avenel was able to convert into goals.
Violet Town in the third quarter wasn’t going to give in and was able to do what Avenel did to it in the second quarter.
With some great intercepts, Violet Town was able to work the ball down the court nicely to its shooters who were able to convert to goals.
This set up the final quarter for Violet Town who had gained some momentum, and it was not going to give up. Violet Town increased the defensive pressure again and created many intercepts and the shooters were on fire.
Violet Town worked as a team to clawed back the six-goal deficit at three-quarter-time to come back and have a chance to draw the match with only seconds on the clock but unfortunately it wasn’t to be and Violet Town went down by one goal.
An amazing team effort, never giving up and showing how much they have improved as a team.
Netball
A-grade
Violet Town 41, Avenel 37
Violet Town A-grade players were slow out of the blocks with Avenel scoring the first six goals. However, great circle work from Jacqui Bast and Imogen Law saw the Towners level scores up again quickly.
Emma Warnock, Millie Elliston and Kolby Wild worked hard in defence all day, proving just too good against the Avenel goalers.
Jo Wild amazed as usual in the centre position, supported by Prue Holmes and Jayde Burden.
Special mention to Emma Warnock for playing WA, GK and then having a stint in goals.
It was a close fought-out game with Towners bringing home the four points to keep their finals hopes alive.
Awards went to Millie Elliston and Jacqui Bast.
B-grade
Violet Town 49, Avenel 27
The B-grade ladies from Violet Town dominated all over the court for the entire game.
They started strongly and maintained that strength for the whole game, showing the style of play that they are truly capable of.
Lilly Armstrong came on in the second quarter and made the goal ring her own, working beautifully with Ash Antonis and Macey Ross.
Karalee Mason, Sarah Jacka and Ash Antonis were dominant in the mid-court, moving the ball easily through the centre, while Megan Bamford and Kat Jung intercepted, rebounded and shut down their opponents to provide a great defensive game. Well done ladies, an impressive win and revenge for the first-round loss to Avenel by a single goal.
Awards went to Lilly Armstrong and Karalee Mason.
C-grade
Violet Town 25, Avenel 30
Unfortunately for Towners this was their game to win, but also their game to lose. They were definitely the strongest team on the day until the final quarter when their play got sloppier and they handed too many balls to Avenel who rightly secured the win.
The Towner girls have come so far in recent weeks and have the ability to win games like the one against Avenel. However, they seem unwilling to back themselves.
If the Towners C-grade players start believing in themselves more and outright saying ‘we want this win’, they will surely end their losing streak next season.
It was an impressive effort across the whole court against Avenel. The strong defensive efforts continued, transitions down the court and strong work by goalers, including junior player Alexis Kloot whose game has matured a lot this season with the step-up to seniors.
And all-round impressive game, despite not getting the result they wanted.
Awards went to Alexis Kloot and Thalia Ellis.
C-reserve
Violet Town 33 defeated by Avenel 49
The Towners’ goal was to perform better than they did last time they faced Avenel.
They did that and even got their second highest score of the season.
Avenel was on fire and the Towners just could not match its intensity. An impressive effort saw Nicole Butterworth score 20 of the Towners’ goals.
With one game left for the season, Towners will be determined to step up their game and play a competitive final match.
Awards went to Nicole Butterworth and Sandra Cotchin.
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