The Panthers’ first meeting with the Tigers in round two this year ended in a 36-goal defeat, but coach Julia Nicholson said the team gave itself every chance of winning on Saturday.

The first quarter went according to script for the visitors.

On a cold, wet day Rupanyup grabbed a five-goal lead at the first break through the hot shooting of Nicholson and goal attack Tayla Morgan.

Pimpinio responded in the second quarter to narrow the half-time margin to three goals, but Rupanyup seemed to have the game in hand after a 20-14 third quarter gave them a nine-goal lead.

They had to fight off one last challenge, however, with the Tigers making a late charge.

Panthers goal defence Lana Hayes and goal keeper Kayla Woods held firm to preserve a 52-49 win.

Kelsey Hamilton and Brianna Luciani were Pimpinio’s best players.

Nicholson said the team’s third win of the year had given it a boost.

“It gives us a lot of confidence, and it makes all the training worthwhile,” she said.

“We had a lot of outs the first time we played them, so it was a huge improvement this time around.”

Natimuk United coach Cheryl Sudholz also had plenty to be pleased about in her side’s five-goal win over Edenhope-Apsley.

The Ewes led by nine goals after a strong first term, but the Saints came back hard to be within four at half-time.

From there it stayed close, with the final quarter turning into a goal-for-goal shootout.

Goal shooter Kirby Knight did enough to get the Ewes over the line 54-49. 

Jo Taylor and Vicki Ahilaras played well in defence, while Sarah Domaschenz and goalie Sacha McDonald were named Edenhope-Apsley’s best.

Sudholz said it was an important win.

“That was probably a must-win game for us if we wanted to stay where we are on the ladder,” she said.

“The top six teams are fighting for places in the top five, and everyone is hungry for it, so to get that win was very important.” Laharum returned to form after a four-game losing streak with a 78-25 thumping of Taylors Lake.

The inclusions of Maddie Iredell, who was best on court, her sister Ema and Nikki Ervin gave the Mountain Maids a big boost.

Kate and Grace Howden played as a defensive tandem for Taylors Lake, and were the Lakers’ best players.

Kalkee was simply too good for Swifts in a 63-15 win at Kalkee.

Hayley Thomas and Stevie Bibby led the way for the Kees, while Lauren Dempsey and coach Nicole Harding were the Baggies’ best.

Noradjuha-Quantong looked prepared to put up a fight against undefeated reigning premier Harrow-Balmoral, but was outclassed after quarter-time.

The Bombers trailed 13-11 after one quarter and were right in the match, but added only seven more goals for the rest of the match.

Harrow-Balmoral went on to win 52-18.