With Violet Town and Avenel ranked similarly on the ladder, it was always going to be a tough match, with the Towners also bringing up B and C-grade players to help.
The Towners had the better start, with their defenders picking off the ball to Avenel's shooters, while their own shooters coolly converted.
Violet Town continued to work the ball down court patiently during the second and third quarters to extend its lead, and while Avenel came out firing in the final term, the Towners composed themselves and finished off the game strongly.
Final score: Violet Town 44 def Avenel 38
B-grade
Violet Town came out firing after a disappointing loss to Tallygaroopna last week and responded with a 14-goal victory against Avenel.
The visitors got off to a good start and though Avenel came back to put the pressure on in the final quarter, Violet Town proved too strong.
Leah Wynd and Kelsey Moss dominated the defensive end by picking off every loose ball and rebound, while Sam Palmer and Emily Wallace alternated in the centre and controlled the ball down the court.
In attack, Jenna Brunner and Abby Frampton played a fantastic game in the goal ring, while Marnie Pallpratt fed the ball extremely well.
Final score: Violet Town 47 def Avenel 33
Best players: Jenna Brunner, Kelsey Moss
C-grade
With the season end nearing closer, Violet Town was hopeful of a strong finish, but a final quarter lapse meant Avenel ran away with a 15-goal victory.
The Towners had a great start to equal Avenel at quarter-time and while still in the game at three-quarter-time, lost momentum in the end to fall well short.
Violet Town’s Nicole Butterworth shot accurately from all ranges, Tegan North was handy feeding to the shooters, while defenders Erin Dawson and Kirsten Bowles worked extremely hard to turn the ball over numerous times.
C-grade will enjoy a two-week break, before returning to face Avenel again in the season finale, with Violet Town determined to win the rematch.
Final score: Violet Town 30 def by Avenel 45
Best players: Nicole Butterworth, Erin Dawson
Under-15
It was not Violet Town’s day in its junior showdown with Avenel, with unforced errors leading to a 52-goal defeat against the third-placed Swans.
A number of positional changes needed to be adjusted to, but the Towners adapted well out of their comfort zones to play the match out to the end.
Final score: Violet Town 20 def by Avenel 72
Best players: Ellie Triffit, Alannah Birch