It was a cold winter’s day with a fresh northeasterly coming into play, as the Hoppers travelled to Redeye territory to take on Blighty.
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Blighty: 3.5, 4.6, 9.8, 12.8: 80
Rennie: 2.2, 7.5, 9.7, 13.8: 86
Goals: Blighty: J. Priestley 7, M. Coote 2, J. Charlton 2, D. Leyden.
Rennie: C. Hargreaves 6, D. Bruce 5, G. McBurnie, T. Ryan.
Best: Blighty: R. Stringer, A. Glover, Z. Thomson, J. Priestley, S. Singleton, J. Charlton.
Rennie: C. Hargreaves, D. Bruce, C. Jones, G. McBurnie, H. Smith, J. Fountain.
Seniors
Two very evenly matched teams played a great contest, which the Hoppers won by six points. The home team had the breeze early, but the Hopper backline of Ferguson and Smith were able to hold firm.
Bruce got on the end of the midfield work of McGillvray and Freeman, and Rennie were within nine points at the first break.
The second quarter saw the Hoppers kick five goals to one, creating a 17 point lead by halftime.
It was Hargreaves with three goals for the term, including a huge wrong foot snap that led the way.
He was well supported by McBurnie who ran through the lines, and Fountain who is the perpetual motion man.
The third quarter saw serve returned as Blighty grabbed the smallest of leads at the final break.
The wind was continuing havoc and player discipline became indifferent as the game opened.
The game pulsated between ends in a ripping final term but key forward Hargreaves with six majors and Bruce with five, were the catalyst of the final victory with great credit to Jones who kept cracking in all day.
Awards: Premix King: Cooper Jones, Lake Mulwala Bakery: George McBurnie, Yarrawonga Hotel: Connor Hargreaves.
Reserves
Blighty 3.3: 21 def by Rennie 11.12: 78
The two’s won the game early with a six goal first term and then hung in there to win by 57 points.
The Hoppers were able to win all four quarters and again were brilliantly led by Joe Ferg who dominated the match throughout.
He was well assisted by Josh Soutter who showed his quality again.
Up forward Hayden Long kicked four from multiple chances and Danielson created havoc for the opposition with his run and carry goals.
The Hoppers are now only one game out of the top eight and are on a roll.
Awards: Premix King: Hayden long, Lake Mulwala Bakery: Jesse Brogan, Yarrawonga Hotel: Nathan Roncho, Club Mulwala: Joe Ferguson, Royal Mail Hotel/Hustl: Jasper Danielson, Yarra News and Gifts: Josh Soutter.
Under 14s
The little Hoppers had another great day out winning by 97 points.
Rennie had multiple targets to goal with Wither and True kicking three goals each.
Ednie and Santoro kicked two each but Long was again brilliant with speed and ball carry. Wallace is just a super competitor in every contest and Hodgson continues to improve and is very good at getting his teammates involved.
This win puts the Hoppers within two points of the top eight.
Well done also to Dan Withers who did an excellent job as stand in coach.
Awards: Intersport: Mason Judd Long, Intents Fishing and Outdoor: Finn Bruce, Darren Lewis Fencing: Aiden Hodgson, Border Concrete Plumbing: Lenny Legudi, Yarra Skin Ski and Surf: Brax Ednie, Lake Mulwala Bakery: Riley Wallace, Crawford Family: Henry Wilson.
Under 11s
Was a tough day in the windy conditions but that didn’t stop the Hoppers from cracking in and having a great morning.
Cash Trewarne was super with Eddie Thomas showing great kicking skill and Evie and Harvey Marett both getting many kicks.
Hoping Dykesy enjoyed his sausage roll at Blighty after pouring training oil which is in a sauce bottle all over it.
The Hoppers will all enjoy the week off then we are home against Jerilderie on July 19 coinciding with the Junior Ball.
Remember to get your tickets sold for Last Man Standing on August 3.
Go Hoppers.
Awards: Purtle Electrical: Cash Trewarne, Rennie Catering Committee: Eddie Thomas, Freeman Glass and Aluminium: Evie Marett, Yarrawonga Skin Ski and Surf: Tyson Steers, Red Ag: Harvey Marett, Marett Family: Archer Briffa.
A Grade
Rennie 50 def Blighty 34
A windy old day at Blighty, meant that the Hoppers A Grade side had to be patient and use possession well, which they did.
After a tough six weeks with injuries and illnesses, it was nice for the girls to get a win and grow as a team.
The side welcomed Paula Mifka back with open arms and valued her strength and expertise in an inexperienced team.
Chelsea Banfield has been working hard on and off the court to hone in her skills.
On matchday she was excellent and dominated the Blighty with many intercepts and rebounds.
Laynee Rhodes worked tirelessly all day and created many opportunities for her team mates, with great pressure and assistance all over the court.
What's most pleasing is the Pigeons developmental juniors, who have been growing with every opportunity they have been given.
Samantha Knight and Ella Lewis train hard and are willing to learn, which showed on court last weekend.
They adapted to multiple positions and instructions.
Well done girls, lets enjoy the bye next week.
Awards: RNC Incentive - Chelsea Banfield, Yarrawonga Bakery - Laynee Rhodes, Yarrawonga News & Gifts - Lucy Bassett, North East Campers - Samantha Knight, Yarrawonga Hotel - Ella Lewis.
B Grade
Rennie 46 def Blighty 29
A great start to the game out at Blighty with instant implementation of drives and passes, that was straight from training.
Shooters Haylee, Ebony and Laura worked seamlessly together in the ring, backing each other in their shots and rebounds.
Defensive pressure was a highlight, watching Lucy, Jess, Mykie and Georgia rotate and work tirelessly in and out of the ring to bring the ball down to the attackers with ease. Mid courters Alainah, Chloe and Lindsay never gave up, chased every ball and rotated well with subs allowing for fresh legs through the centre court.
A great game to watch and an even better one to be a part of, well done girls.
Looking forward to being back at home next game against Jerilderie.
Awards: RNC Incentive - Haylee Wilson, Mulwala Bakery - Chloe Wheeler, Showcase Jewellers - Mykie McBurnie, Skin Ski & Surf - Laura Nunn, Yarrawonga Hotel - Jess Barton.
C Grade
Rennie 49 def Blighty 19
Blighty served up a windy day, which required adjustments to the Pigeons passing.
It also meant that the C Grade goalers had to account for the strong gusts.
Despite the conditions, C Grade maintained composure across the court, resulting in many impressive passages of play.
Bri delivered another solid performance in goals, and worked seamlessly with Tegan and Tess.
In the mid-court, Georgia and Ella were relentless, driving strongly and reacting quickly to every loose ball.
The defenders showed excellent communication, and the combined effort and intensity from Georgie, Rach, and Gaby which led to numerous turnovers which we converted into goals.
A strong and confident win to take into the general bye.
Awards: Mulwala Bakery - Bri Pye, Free as a Bird - Georgia Nicholson, Yarrawonga News & Gifts - Ella Harvie, Royal Mail Hotel - Tess Bassett, One Zach - Tegan Lee.
C Reserve
Rennie 36 def Blighty 9
Fourth win in a row, as the C Reserve girls have shown that they are enjoying their netball.
Well done on a great team effort.
Here’s hoping they can make it five in a row.
Awards: Mulwala Bakery - Lauren Fitzpatrick, Club Mulwala - Mel Burke, Yarrawonga Hotel - Brit Thomas, Intersport Wingates - Eden Mackinnon, Miss Dolly - Danielle Dalrymple, Players Player Award - Brit Thomas.
Under 17s
Rennie 42 def Blighty 37
Blighty came out fighting from the first whistle, which left the Rennie girls chasing their tails for the first few minutes.
With another injury to the team last week, and another away, the girls were playing with only eight players, compared to their usual team of 12.
Ella Lewis was a standout with her goaling accuracy, Jazzy Johnson had a tough game with lots of umpire calls, yet stood strong and adjusted every single time.
She used her elevation and patience to make each moment count.
Jasi Lewis had a stella game in both goal shooter and wing defence, showing why training is so important.
She has improved in spades and this is all down to her own hard work and commitment to the team.
Tess Bassett played in every third throughout the game, from defence, goal shooter and even showed that she can have a run in the mid court.
Well done Tess on being a leader for the team and trusting in the coaches decisions.
Olivia Lewis was reliable again in defence, she is improving every single week. Throughout the game, Liv demonstrated sportsmanship, patience and skill with knowing when to help out and when to step back.
Well done girls.
Awards: Papalia's - Ella Lewis, Mulwala Bakery - Jazzy Johnson, Rhodes Family - Jasi Lewis, Skin Ski & Surf - Tess Bassett, Housemade Food & Coffee - Olivia Lewis.
Under 15s
Rennie 29 def Blighty 21
The girls had a great win this week showing their skills and working on their drives forward.
Sienna Blick was a stand out this week in defence communication with her team mates Kate and Lily in the ring to guide the many intercepts taken by all girls.
The mid court brought drives and strength, bringing the ball down the court smoothly and effortlessly.
With some injuries emerging, we wish all girls speedy recoveries.
The attack neared 100 per accuracy.
With a bye round this week, the Under 15s earned a break.
Enjoy the week off and see everyone back on court in two weeks.
Awards: Priority Gym - Ruby Long, Yarrawonga Bakery - Sienna Blick, Rhodes Family - Kate Giblett, Lewis Fencing - Carla Dowling, Skin Ski & Surf - Maisie Cope.
Under 13s
Rennie 13 def by Blighty 20
A tough game against Blighty for the Under 13’s this round.
There were a few change ups with positioning, to try some different combinations.
Even though it didn’t always quite work as expected it was great to see the girls up for a challenge and give things a go.
Lots to work on at training in the coming weeks, with passes, having front positions and drives to bring the ball down the court.
After two away games in a row, we are ready to head back to Rennie for a home game against Jerilderie.
Awards: Papalia's - Ruby Phillips, Mulwala Bakery - Abbey Dowling, Rhodes Family - Zali Mathieson, Paula Mifka Award - Ruby Jones, Belle's Café - Ella Wilson.
Under 11s
Awards: Ricky D's Pizza - Lizzy Thomas, Mulwala Bakery - Evie Marett, Skin Ski & Surf - Zoe Dowling, Rhodes Family - Grace Williams, Paula Mifka Award - Sophie Dalrymple.
Yarrawonga Chronicle