The rain stayed away on Saturday and the A grade took a convincing 56-30 win over a young Hoppers line up.
Whilst it was goal for goal early in the game, a strong second quarter set the Pigeons up to run over the top of their opponents.
Hannah Symes was again able to pull together a dominant display, capitalising on the team’s defensive pressure to take flying intercepts and she earned herself the coaches award.
It was a strong attacking display in the heat on Saturday, and the Pigeon goalers were supplied well by Laura Irvine who put together another award worthy game.
With 2 tough games remaining, the A grade side will look to these challenges to prepare them for their 2022 finals campaign.
B Grade
North Albury 27 defeated by Yarrawonga 54.
B Grade took to the court to face a determined North Albury outfit. The physicality was there, and their voices were up with Jacqui in WD showing great pride in her voice.
As for the Pigeon girls, the challenge was embraced, and they got to work – doing the basics and doing it well.
They never gave up and Amity Drayton again impressed with both the number of intercepts and rebounds and the conversion rate in return, resulted in scoreboard pressure to be applied early. With Simone Brown and Tess Byrne coming back from a couple of weeks off it really showed on what they can do either ends.
This tapered the enthusiasm of their opponents down a notch and the Pigeon girls went on to really take control of the game.
Simple yet effective netball played allowed the Pigeon girls to build on their lead at a steady rate, which on the final siren displayed a massive goal 27 advantage to Yarrawonga.
Best on Amity and Tess.
C Grade
North Albury 36 defeated Yarrawonga 34
C Grade had a tough game this week. North Albury have been slowly climbing the ladder over the last few weeks and the Pigeons knew they were going to bring everything to the table.
It was a fight all the way to the end and the girls never gave up but unfortunately couldn’t quite get there going down by 2 goals.
The defence end worked tirelessly with some new recruits from the under 17s side including Coco Vodusek and Eva Cummins.
They were lead well by the senior players Sarah Govan, Amy Barnes and Macey Drayton.
There were lots of rotations through the mid court with co-coach Zoe Jones back from holidays.
Suzy and Bree along with Zoe fed well into the goalers against a tall and experienced North Albury defence end.
Pigeon goalers Dee and Eliana shot well under pressure.
The C Grade know they need to come out firing leading into finals and take every opportunity that they get.
This loss will make them stronger for the final’s series ahead.
Under 17s
North Albury 44 defeated by Yarrawonga 50.
It was a battle of 3rd vs 4th on the weekend, however the under 17s girls looked comfortable and in charge of the match throughout all four quarters.
When scores were equal at quarter time, the girls regrouped and focussed on playing to their strengths which paid off.
Mikyah Frauenfelder excelled in goals in all four quarters. Her netball brain allows her to constantly create space for her teammates, and she ensured the ball was always in safe hands.
She was accurate and dynamic, and stood up when the team needed her.
Another strong performance by Georgie Hemphill who stood up in the GD position this week, a position she hasn't been asked to play in the whole year.
Eva Cummins played a fantastic 4 quarters in C.
Her height and athleticism are beyond her years, and the club knows she will be an exciting player in years to come.