HARROW-BALMORAL made a clear statement about its intention for back-to-back premierships by outlasting one of its main early-season rivals on Friday.
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The Roos were given a tough fight from Natimuk United in their Anzac Day match, but they opened up a lead in the second quarter which they did not relinquish.
A slender one-goal advanage at the first change became seven goals by half-time.
The Roos outscored their opponent 22-14 after half-time to run away with a 44-29 victory.
It was a significant win for Harrow-Balmoral as the Ewes were undefeated before the game and were shaping up as one of the main challengers for this year’s premiership.
It leaves the Roos and a vastly improved Laharum outfit as the only undefeated sides in the competition after four rounds.
Amy Lewis has been a standout in goals for Harrow-Balmoral this season, but it was Anna-Grace Close who picked up the scoring slack when the going was tough early on.
Close scored five of the Roos’ opening seven goals at 84 per cent accuracy, with Lewis connecting on just 20 per cent of her shots in the first quarter.
Natimuk United sisters Kirby and Ashlee Knight were subdued by Harrow-Balmoral defenders Ebonie Salter and Alex Mason.
Salter said the team’s effort had been exemplary for most of the day.
“It was a really tough game and the scoreline didn’t reflect how close it felt on the court,” she said.
“We seemed to settle just a bit more than they did in the second quarter, and we were able to capitalise on turnovers when they weren’t – and that was probably the difference.”
“We seemed to settle just a bit more than they did in the second quarter, and we were able to capitalise on turnovers when they weren’t – and that was probably the difference.”
- Harrow-Balmoral's Ebonie Salter
Salter said the team looked forward to its match against undefeated side Laharum in round six, but would not take Pimpinio lightly this round either.
Kalkee easily won each quarter against Taylors Lake as it romped away to a 53-9 win at home.
Defender Paula Wiedermann and young-gun Billie Bibby starred for the Kees, while defenders Grace and Kate Howden were named the Lakers’ best.
Rachael Whitehead and Sacha McDonald proved a devastating tandem in goals for Edenhope-Apsley during a 61-31 win over Rupanyup.
The pair added 35 goals in the second half to blow away the Panthers, who are second last on the ladder.
Tayla Morgan top scored for Rupanyup with 14 goals.
Noradjuha-Quantong kept Swifts winless with a regulation 51-13 victory.
The final margin was set up by a strong Bombers second half, with Claire Breed and Georgia Francis featuring heavily.
Goal-keeper Melinda Beal and centre Emily Patterson were Swifts’ best.
Laharum is now atop the ladder after crushing Pimpinio 81-27.
The Mountain Maids were simply unstoppable in attack, with Maddie Iredell, 36 goals, and Caitlin Story, 45, running riot.
Iredell and Nikki Ervin were named Laharum’s best, while Brianna Luciani and Ashleigh Brooks picked up the honours for Pimpinio.