By Erika Allen
LEONGATHA pulled off the upset of the Gippsland League Round 11 fixture, defeating Bairnsdale by one goal despite the visitors mounting a massive final-term attack.
Scores were even after the opening quarter, before the Parrots built a handy seven-goal lead heading into the final term after winning the next two quarters.
Amy Scott, with 29 goals, was a key player for Leongatha, while Stacey Giliam created opportunities at wing attack.
Bairnsdale defenders Sally Deller, Ruby Dunkley and Alison Dwyer played key roles as the Redlegs mounted their comeback, but a 16-10 final term was all the third-ranked side could muster as the Parrots held on by a goal.
Leongatha goal keeper Lauren Redpath joined Scott and Giliam among the winning side’s best players.
Sale gave Morwell a run for its money, but the Tigers held on to win by seven goals.
The Magpies led by four goals at half-time thanks to accurate shooting from Kate Van der Voort and Eve Sabell.
However, the Tigers finished strongly as Izabella Rosato and Anna Solomon tightened up defensively, while centre Chloe Radford upped the ante in attack.
Sale centre Mahli Stothers earned recognition for her efforts, with Ella Gerrand and Sabell also named among the Magpies’ top players.
Maffra was defeated by Moe, with the visitors breaking away in the second half to win 57-40.
Down by six goals after the opening term, the Eagles got on top in the second quarter, closing the gap to just three goals by half-time.
Sienna Wynd, Tanna Boye and Hannah Abdalla created opportunities for Tilly Fox and Rachel Weatherley under the post.
But the Lions showed their strength in the second half as defender Jordan Pyle upped the intensity, while Alexandra Moody turned interceptions through the midcourt into scoring options for Charlize Bird.
Drouin’s 11th straight win came against Traralgon.
The Hawks visited the Traralgon Showgrounds, where the teams put on a show in the round’s highest-scoring battle, but Drouin came out on top 68-54.
Elsewhere, Wonthaggi recorded its sixth win of the season, defeating Warragul by 20 goals.
Gippsland League returns on July 11.
