Benalla All Blacks Panthers played host and Tatong Magpies played hard in A Grade, as the Magpies downed the Panthers – a disappointing outcome for Mel Sangster on the occasion of her 200th game for Blacks. Scroll right down for a photo of Mel and the 200 game banner.
In other matches, B Grade and B Reserve Panthers had good wins, while C Grade lost in a close encounter.
Here are the All Blacks reports:
A GRADE
The girls worked hard throughout the whole game, but were unable to match the score line with Tatong for the full four quarters. Kirsty Orton (B.O.C. $50 Cash Award) ran the game out hard, giving defence a lot of talk around the ring while also running hard in centre. Alara Jones (Indulgence on Bridge) once again shone in WA, then moved back into shooter where her confidence was seen on the score board. Defender Mel Walker also changed her playing style on several occasions to give opportunities to turn the ball over. Tatong 60 defeated Benalla All Blacks 35.
A Grade in action:
B GRADE
It’s not an understatement to say these girls improve every week, and this week proved it. While the talk that has been present over the last few weeks was not as noticeable on the court, it didn’t show on the scoreboard. The team has really gelled over the last couple of weeks to have a clean sharp placement down the court. The shooting combination of Cristen Brunner (B.O.C. D & C Stafford Cash Award) and Kelly Campbell (Aqua Door Retreat Award) once again was working smoothly. Both girls had an impressive percentage on shooting with minimal misses. Defenders Vee DeFazio (Bex’s Hair Design Award) and Georgie Warner (Benalla Bowls Club Award) worked hard and gained may intercepts which produced scoring options for their teammates. Benalla All Blacks 46 defeated Tatong 36.
B RESERVE
With a slightly different team taking the court from last time Blacks played Tatong, the girls were keen to make it two from two. A fantastic second quarter saw the young girls up by 12 goals at the half time break. Tatong came out looking stronger in the second half and actually won the last quarter. However the damage had been done in the second quarter and All Blacks won 28 to Tatong 19. Eliza Jones (B.O.C. Sportspower Award). Emma Sangster (One Zach Award). Jasmine Keogh (Warehouse Cuts Award).
C GRADE
Saturday saw a close game in C Grade. Although Blacks didn’t come away with the win they never gave up, the final score being 20 to 25. Mikaylah Lessing (Benalla Bowls Club Award) showed her versatility once again, going into defence and taking many intercepts. Milly Saunders (One Zach Award) and Gaby Sidhu (Jenny Milner Award) were both terrific in the middle, making great leads and putting pressure on all the way down the court.
200 GAMES – WELL DONE MEL
