Goorambat went down to a visiting Bright side on Saturday by 110 points in a hard fought game.
Bright started to the southern end and used the breeze to full advantage to gain a 43 point lead by three quarter time. Ben Reaburn was busy at full back and took the game on from the start along with Jesse Whinray who had a solid game in defence.
Goorambat lifted their performance as the match went on and made sure that the game was a tough physical contest. With the lead 53 points in Bright’s favour at half time The Bats knew they had their work cut out in the second half.
Goorambat’s tackling and physical presence around the ground was excellent after half time where onballers Tom Skilbeck, Trav Nolan and Shane Rodwell lead the way. Damien Gray and Ben Reaburn were lively up forward in the second half and Sam Gall was creating plenty of opportunities for his team mates around the midfield.
Next week Goorambat host Glenrowan in their last home game of the season and look to be bolstered by a number of quality inclusions.
Goorambat 4.2-26 def by Bright 20.16-136
Goal Kickers: D. Gray 2, T. Skilbeck , S. Sutherland
Best Players: T. Skilbeck, T. Nolan, S. Gall, J. Whinray, S. Rodwell, B. Reaburn
Reserves
The reserves put in a hard fought effort against Bright in drizzely conditions but in the end it was the visitors who came away with an 86 point win.
David Gilby continues his outstanding season with another best on ground performance. Gilby’s pace and silky skills stood out as did Johnny Pilot who found a heap of the ball at half back and used it to his teams advantage.
Alex Lee worked hard all day and used his pace around the ground and Doug Woodhead and Matty Smith had excellent games with their run and hardness at the contest. Matt Lees also continued his good form at full back.
Goorambat 1.5-11 def by Bright 13.19-97
Goal Kickers: D. Gilby
Best Players: D. Gilby, J. Pilot, A. Lee, D. Woodhead, M. Smith, M. Lees
Netball
C grade
Baby bats coping some drizzly cold rain started a bit slow Bright getting couple breaks on centre pass. Few changes due to injury the girls fought back having a 2 goal difference at quarter time. Game was tight for both teams as one mistake was capitalized by the other, showing some brilliant skills and mature heads on court baby bats are finishing off strong but unfortunately going down by 6 goals. Bests Chelsea Bamford, Brittany Button and Alisha Knight
Goorambat 39 lost to Bright 46 Best on - Brittany Button, Alisha Knight and Samantha Desaily
B Reserve (37 to 51)
On what was a very cold winters day along with sleety rain, B Reserve knew they were going to have a fight on there hands against 4th positioned Bright, who were a very physical side the last time they met in Round 3.
The game was goal for goal until the Bats lost one of there key defenders to injury 5 minutes into the game, which meant they only had 7 players with no bench. Kate Gregory who came out of the blocks firing in Goal Attack after having 2 weeks off the court had to be moved down into Goal Defence to accommodate the loss of Steph Wadell. Always reliable Emily Rice was then moved into Goal Attack and paired with Lauryn Blake they tried effortlessly in the conditions and against a strong defence to score what they could. The new defensive combination of Kate and Sally Swankie did all they could to stop the Bright shooters with some great intercepts but unfortunately it wasn't quite enough with the Bats going down. All in all though the girls fought hard as a team and with two games left they will be looking for two wins to secure a spot in the finals.
B grade (27 to 29)
Goorambat B grade suffered a shock loss to Bright on the weekend. Bright appeared to fight harder for the ball and wanted the win more. Goorambat made many basic mistakes and Bright jumped on these and converted them whereas Goorambat goalies didn't make the most of their chances . Once again the Bats rock solid defensive end kept them in the game.
To their credit Goorambat mounted a fight back in the last quarter but ran out of time going down by 2 goals in the end. Hopefully the girls will reflect on the what ifs and come out hungrier next week.
On a positive note we welcomed back Catherine Masters from her holiday and look forward to having her back in the midcourt.
Best players - Kate Sloan, Erin O'Brien and Renae Hughes.
A grade
A grade, Goorambat from the start stomped there foot down looking for a good finish to the end of the season. Bats were focused and working well into goalers Nicole and Kylie Button, flow was produced from defense Kirsty Bartlett and Bec Lennard through midcourters Kirsten Pianta Steph Hogg and Elise Nolan, great moral after each quarter but knowing to well bright wouldn't wave a white flag bats had to keep fresh legs Lydia Hanrahan being Ill gave her all for one quarter holding a gap on Bright by 6 goals, going into the last Bright tightened the gap with some great intercepts, going down to the wire scores being level at final whistle with a penalty goal to win the game.
Goorambat 39 defeated Bright 38
Best on - Kylie Button, Beck Lennard and Nicole Button