Reigning Bellarine Football Netball League A Grade premiers Modewarre upstaged higher ranked Ocean Grove in their BFNL Round 14 clash at Shell Road Netball Courts on 20 July.
The tall Warriors outfit won 45 to 39 against Ocean Grove.
It was the Grubbers first loss since they went down to ladder leaders Torquay 46-51 in Round 8
Both Modda and Ocean Grove were battling it out for a prized top three double position for the upcoming BFNL finals which commence on Saturday 24 August.
Modewarre’s (10-4) six-goal victory meant it had closed the gap on Ocean Grove (11-3) in third spot.
“Finishing top three is very important,” Ocean Grove senior netball coach Elyse Howard said.
“We feel like we deserve to finish top three so we need to put in the hard yards to make it happen.”.
The Grubbers were missing two key stars including goal attack Julia Allan, while new recruit Lillian O’Sullivan did not play.
Grubber defenders Lucy Vercher and Jess Griffin, both named in the best players, were outstanding with both triggering steals and creating turnovers.
Experienced Grubber veteran Candice Parker provided depth and stability in defence.
“Our defenders played really well in the ring,” Howard said.
Grubber gun goal shooter Rebecca Scott scored 22 goals from her 26 attempts, while Ally Swift shot 17 goals from 28 attempts.
Modda’s intense and gritty defence ensured it was a tough day in front of goal for Scott, on occasions Scott was faced with the opposition double teaming her.
“If they double team her then we need(ed) to ensure our goal attack is taking the shots and we probably didn’t hit the percentages required,” Howard said.
“We need to work on different variations in the circle if they plan on doing that if we meet them in finals.”
Howard praised Modda’s all court game and said their taller match ups suited them.
“Just wasn’t our day,” she said.
“They are just big all over the court and have depth.”
Ocean Grove led by one goal at quarter time and half time before the visitors consolidated their slender lead in the final half to claim the win.
B GRADE
Sisters Emma and Abbey Badrock helped Ocean Grove secure a 43-32 victory over Modewarre in B Grade.
Emma Badrock shot 26 goals, while Abbey Badrock scored 17 goals.
Kylie Lane, Claudia Britt and Abbey Badrock were named in the best for the Grubbers.
C GRADE
Ocean Grove defeated Modewarre in their C Grade clash 32-22.
Grubber Heidi Bennett top scored with 14 goals, while Tina Birch and Jesse Sutton each scored nine goals.
Mid court Sharni Thebes and Heidi Bennett were named in the best for Ocean Grove.
D GRADE
Maddy Goodger top scored with 12 goals in Ocean Grove’s 26 to 11 victory over Modewarre in D Grade.
Grubber teammates Paula Birch and Michaela Giblin were also in the best players.
E GRADE
Ocean Grove made it four wins out of five senior grades with the club’s E Grade defeating Modewarre 24 to 17.
Best players for Grubbers were Terri-Anne Finch, Taryn Laverty and Lucy Conquit. Results from 27 July.
B GRADE
Ocean Grove scored a 12-goal win in B Grade defeating Torquay 47 to 35.
Grubber Abbey Badrock shot 20 goals, while team-mate Kimberley Hart scored 16 goals.
Ocean Grove B Grade sit in fourth spot with a 10-5 record after 15 rounds.
C GRADE
Ocean Grove took top spot on the C Grade ladder with a 29 to 25 win over Torquay.
The Grubbers (12-2-1) are ahead of Geelong Amateur on a superior percentage with both teams on the same amount of points.
Ocean Grove goaler Heidi Bennett shot 16 goals.
D GRADE
Ocean Grove scored a six-goal victory over Torquay in C Grade to win 32-26.
The Grubbers remain on top of the D Grade ladder with their 13-2 record.
Grubber goalers Shereen Wolfe scored 17 goals, while Maddy Goodger shot 15 goals.
E GRADE
The Grubbers scored four wins out of five senior grades after completing a 26 to 15 win over Torquay in E Grade.
Grace Hamilton shot 20 goals for Ocean Grove.
