BACCHUS Marsh has reclaimed the upper hand in its Ballarat Netball League A-grade rivalry with Darley after a one-goal win at the weekend.
The 43-42 victory continued the cliff-hanger run of results between the two, with the Cobras avenging last season’s 38-36 extra time loss in the elimination final.
The win was Bacchus Marsh’s first of the season, lifting the one win, one loss, one draw team to seventh while one-and-two Darley is in eighth.
Bacchus Marsh held the scoreboard advantage for much of the game, leading by as many as seven goals before being reeled in by Darley.
But crucially the lead never changed as the Devils couldn’t keep momentum going long enough to hit the front.
Susan Dalmau did the bulk of the scoring for Bacchus Marsh with 38 goals, while Darley first-gamer Madison Caulfield shot 32.
Caulfield, who plays for Victorian Netball League outfit Booroondara Genesis, is a handy addition to the goal circle for the Devils.
Coach Marika Barnes said she was looking forward to the senior squad’s availability improving so that the new faces could settle in.
‘‘We played very inconsistent across the four quarters.
‘‘We’ve got to buckle down, our seniors are still unsettled.’’
See tomorrow’s Melton-Moorabool Weekly for football reports
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MELTON is flying the flag for the Eastern bloc in Ballarat Netball League as the Bloods’ unbeaten start to the season continued at the expense of Melton South at the weekend.
Brooke Thompson’s on-court influence was again telling as the Bloods beat the Panthers 51-23 to climb into second place on the ladder.
Sunbury Lions, off court altogether in A-grade as recently as last season, celebrated a breakthrough win against Sebastopol.
The Lions’ 49-27 victory marks both a return to the court and competitiveness, led by Tui Aukusitino’s 36 goals.
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RESULTS: Melton South 23 (Danielle Robertson 18) lt Melton 51 (Tegan Gardam 31, Brooke Gleeson 20), Bacchus Marsh 43 (Susan Dalmau 38) d Darley 42 (Madison Caulfield 32, Elyce Carlyle 10), Lake Wendouree 64 d Ballarat 23, Sunbury 49 d Sebastopol 27, East Point 59 d Redan 42
LADDER:
1. Lake Wendouree 12
2. Melton 10
3. Redan 8 (174 per cent)
4. Sunbury 8 (134)
5. East Point 8 (114)
6. North Ballarat City 8 (65)
7. Bacchus Marsh 6
8. Darley 4 (105)
9. Melton South 4 (62)
10. Ballarat 4 (53)
11. Sebastopol 0
