A slow start to the first half cost Avenel dearly in its Kyabram District League senior football clash against Shepparton East at the weekend, with the Swans going down by 41 points despite a competitive second half.
Hosting the Eagles at Avenel Recreation Reserve for the round 12 clash, the Swans were unable to stick with the visitor in the first quarter, as Shepparton East established an 18-7 lead by the first break.
The 11-point margin soon grew, however, as Avenel managed just 1.2 in the second term, while the Eagles piled on five goals, blowing the margin out to 35 points by half-time and well and truly taking control of the contest.
Both sides settled after half-time as scoring diminished, with the third term seeing both sides add just 1.4 to the scoreboard amid an improved effort from Avenel defensively, although a four-goal-to-three quarter in the fourth saw Shepparton East push the advantage out by a kick at the final siren.
The Swans would be rueing their poor first half, with much of the 41-point deficit encountered in the opening two quarters — in fact, just six points separated the teams in the second half, with Avenel showing it was more than up for the fight.
Skipper Jack Myers (one goal) was the best in the loss for the home side, closely followed by Dylan Ryan, Tim Dundon, Joshua Webster (two goals), Callum Williams and Jason Harvey.
The 6.10 (46) to 13.9 (87) loss leaves the Swans down in seventh spot on the ladder with six rounds remaining, a game behind sixth-placed Longwood.
Over at Nagambie Recreation Reserve on Sunday, the Lakers were forced to do things the hard way over a plucky Stanhope side, although they didn’t help themselves with inaccuracy in front of goal.
Despite a two-goal-to-zero first term, Nagambie found itself just a point in front at half-time, with a four-goal second quarter from Stanhope seeing the Lions roar back into the contest, trailing 26-27 at the main break.
Things went from bad to worse for the fourth-placed Lakers in the third, as they managed 10 scoring shots to six, but returned 3.7 to the Lions’ 5.1, which meant they trailed 7.10 (52) to 9.3 (57) against their less fancied opponent heading into the final term.
A six-goal burst in the final term saw the Lakers escape with a 13.13 (91) to 12.4 (76) win, and while they take the four points, it wasn’t an ideal performance from a side that is challenging for a spot at the pointy end.
Tom Barnes put in a best-on-ground display in the win, booting six goals, while Mark Nolan (one goal), Lucas McKinnon, Xavier Arandt (one goal), David Comi and Thomas Mason rounded out the best.
Nagambie keeps hold of fourth spot following the win, level at 9-2 with third-placed Shepparton East, with the two sides set to square off this weekend.
Elsewhere in round 12, reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba completed a 31.19 (205) to 0.2 (2) rout of Merrigum, Rushworth scored a convincing 18.14 (122) to 8.10 (58) win over Violet Town, Girgarre claimed a comeback victory over Undera, prevailing 8.11 (59) to 8.6 (54), while Lancaster trounced Tallygaroopna 21.15 (141) to 5.8 (38) and Longwood had the bye.
Lakers set for top-of-the-table clash
Nagambie continued its hot streak in the Kyabram District League A-grade netball competition at the weekend, extending its unbeaten run to 10 straight matches ahead of a scintillating first versus second match-up this weekend.
The Lakers secured a convincing 57-44 victory over Stanhope at Nagambie Recreation Reserve, ensuring they remain unbeaten since their round one loss to Violet Town.
The win has Nagambie in second spot on the ladder at 10-1, a game behind the unbeaten Shepparton East, with the two sides set to face off in a blockbuster clash that headlines the round 13 action this weekend.
The Eagles had a win of their own too in round 12, securing a 45-25 win over Avenel to continue the undefeated start to the season, heading into the top-of-the-table encounter as hot favourites, while the Swans remain fifth with a 6-5 record following the loss.
Elsewhere, Rushworth continued its brilliant form with a 49-24 win over Violet Town to stay third, with the Towners now slipping to 11th on the ladder, while Girgarre returned to form with a 67-25 thumping of Undera, putting a two-game gap between itself in fourth and Avenel in fifth.
Merrigum advanced up the ladder into eighth spot following a 51-40 victory over Murchison-Toolamba, with the Hoppers tumbling to ninth following the loss, with both sides leapfrogged by 2024 runner-up Lancaster, which breathed life into its season following a 46-27 victory over sixth-placed Tallygaroopna.