Grove women going strong

Mikaela Cameron lines up for goal. (Mark Heenan Media) 181830

By Mark Heenan

Ocean Grove senior women’s football coach Jase Lydom said women from “all walks of life” had contributed to the club’s success in its inaugural year on the field.

The Grubber seniors scored their single biggest victory of 2018 with a huge 80-point victory over Bell Post Hill at Ocean Grove Memorial Recreation Reserve on Sunday 10 June.

Final scores Ocean Grove 13.9 (87) defeated Bell Post Hill 1.1 (7).

It was a significant win on many fronts as Ocean Grove tasted its first win at home this season.

Lydom said it was thrilling to see how well his players had combined in a team environment irrespective of age, race, shape or size.

“I think our youngest player is 18 or 19 and then (we go) all (the) way through to 50 plus,” Lydom told Voice.

“We have got mums, we have got nurses we have got a couple of indigenous girls.

“So we have people from all walks of life which is great and it is good for the girls to pretty much gel together and they have.

“They have come from different backgrounds and that seems to work so far.”

Lydom paid tribute to star player Yvonne Willman, aged in her 50s, who was named in the best with three goals.

“Like Yvonne, she kicked three goals and she is aged over 50,” Lydom said.

“She is in her fifties she doesn’t mind me telling you – we actually gave her the award for her performance.”

Grubber Che-Louise Cockatoo-Hewitt shined slotting through three majors, while team-mates Kim Neilson and Lauren Mair booted two goals.

The Grubbers got off to a flyer with their four-goal first term, its hard-tackling pressure was a big feature in the win.

Bell Post Hill was held goalless in the first half.

Ocean Grove dominated after the second quarter with seven second-half goals with its strong forward defensive pressure.

After eight rounds which included four grading games, Ocean Grove had a 4-4 win loss record.

The Grubbers sat in third position on the ladder in the eight-team Division 2 Corio Bay Health Group Cup competition.

It was Ocean Grove’s second win over Bell Post Hill following their first win up over the Panthers on 29 April at Myers Reserve.

SCOREBOARD

OCEAN GROVE 13.9 (87) def BELL POST HILL 1.1 (7)

OCEAN GROVE

Goals: C. Cockatoo-Hewitt 3, Y. Willman 3, K. Neilson 2, L. Mair 2, M. Cameron, C. McKenzie, S. Gill.

Best: Y. Willman, L. Mair, C. McKenzie, K. Neilson, C. Harrison-Smith, C. Cockatoo-Hewitt.