Sport

GVL ǀ Gallery ǀ Three in a row for Saints netballers

By James Kleeman

May 3, 2022

Making plays: Hayley Martiniello had another superb game in the middle of the court. Photo by Brenden Paddock

A hot start to the Goulburn Valley League season continues for Benalla Saints’ A-grade netball side, as they secured an exhilarating 47-41 win over Kyabram in round four.

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Best-on-court Kelsey Palpratt was at the centre of a lot of Benalla’s play on Saturday, also managing to create some crucial intercepts from her role in wing attack.

Mid-courter Hayley Martiniello was integral to the Saints forward movement, while Tilly Lang and Chloe Hill kept their side in the game in defence.

Goaler Sally Washfold and wing defender Ashleigh Feehan were also among the standouts in the Saints’ thrilling six-goal win.

In football action, reigning Goulburn Valley League premier Kyabram accounted for Benalla in commanding fashion on Saturday, April 30, handing the beleaguered Saints a hefty 18.9 (117) to 3.4 (22) defeat at Benalla Showgrounds.

A six-goal-to-two first quarter had Kyabram in the driver’s seat from the first bounce, refusing to let up after the first change by kicking six unanswered goals to have it up by 64 points at the main break.

The Saints managed a third goal after half-time, keeping the goal-happy Kyabram outfit to just six scores in the second half.

Seven different Bombers slammed home goals on Saturday, with Paul Newman’s men eager to make amends after a tough round three loss to Echuca.

Key forward Cooper Vick was on target with five to his name, while Mitchell Gugliotti and Thomas Holman booted three apiece.

For Benalla, stalwarts Jake Pallpratt, James Martiniello and Chris Welsh were among the best in a loss that keeps the side winless in 2022.

It’s going to get harder before it gets any easier for the Saints, who face an energised Rochester outfit in Benalla next weekend.

In under-18s action, a strong first-half performance from the Saints had them match a dominant Bombers unit last Saturday.

Kyabram gradually took control of the game after the half, finishing strongly with a strong 17.20 (122) to 5.1 (31) win.

Saints’ best-on-ground Henry Hill was on target to kick two, while Aiden Phillips, Dan Hurley, Shaalv Deo and Liam Thivillier-Lefebvre also turned in valiant performances for Benalla.