By David Ball
Yarra Glen’s return to hosting games at their home ground was for Pink Sports Day in support of the Breast Cancer Network.
Taking on Yarra Junction who had a new coach in command for the second time, the visitors started with intensity and hit the scoreboard to take an early lead.
Yarra Glen settled and as their midfield lifted they took control of general play.
If not for some errant kicking for goal, the River Pigs would have been more than the 4 points in front at quarter time. 4.8 to 4.4.
In the second quarter Yarra Glen were well on top, but once again missed some straight forward opportunities to be leading 8.14 to 5.6 at the main break.
The River Pigs outscored the Eagles 3 goals to 2 in the third to take control of the game, leading by 34 points going into the last quarter.
The two teams traded goals until late in the last quarter when Yarra Junction slammed on some late goals to close the gap to 21 points.
Final scores Yarra Glen 15.22 to Yarra Junction 13.13.
The Reserves started in slightly wet conditions after some early morning rain.
Yarra Junction handled the ball well and were able to take a 5 goal lead into quarter time.
The Eagles produced a very even 4 quarter performance whilst Yarra Glen showed only patches of good football.
The Junction forwards were too strong in the air as they marked and goaled consistently through the 4 quarters.
The Netball D Grade started well on a wet court and Yarra Glen led 9 to 4 at quarter time.
They were consistently handling the ball and moving it better than Yarra Junction to end up winning every quarter to finish with a convincing 40 to 15 victory.
Yarra Glen’s C Grade girls started strongly, moving the ball crisply and defending strongly to be 13 to 3 up at quarter time.
Their good form continued in the second quarter as they stretched their lead to be 23 to 8 ahead at half time.
Yarra Glen continued their clean ball movement and their goalshooters converted well throughout the second half to finish up winning well, 38 to 15
In B Grade Yarra Glen faced some early pressure from Yarra Junction and had to work hard to create their 11 to 3 quarter time lead.
The second quarter saw the Yarra Glen girls lift to a new level, shutting down the Junction ball movement to keep them scoreless for the quarter.
At the other end Yarra Glen added 15 goals to be 26 to 3 ahead at half time.
The second half saw Yarra Junction kept to just 3 goals in each of the last 2 quarters. Great defence and good conversion saw Yarra G;en running out victorious, 41 to 9.
The A Grade game was a great contest in the first quarter with both sides scoring 14 goals.
Yarra Glen was missing Maddy Hargrave in goals but had a great replacement in Georgia Crundale. It did take the Yarra Glen girls a little while to adjust to a different goalshooter and but at half time Yarra Glen was 2 goals up, 31 to 29.
The third quarter saw Yarra Glen assert their authority as they improved their defensive pressure.
At three-quarter time they had moved out to be ahead 49 to 41.
The last quarter was cut short as an Ambulance was needed to attend to Yarra Glen’s centre Alana McGurgan.
In falling backwards she was knocked out, hitting the court hard.
Yarra Glen had added 6 goals to 2 to win, 55 to 43.
Fortunately, Alana is recovering well.
The Pink Sports Day was an outstanding success thanks to the support of Yarra Junction, The Yarra Glen Community and many local businesses.
In all over $10,000 was raised to support the Breast Cancer Network Australia in honour of Sandra Wood, a much loved mother to Sam and Jasmin and wife of Peter, who sadly passed away recently due to breast cancer.
