General News
13 August, 2019
Bombers secure top spot
COBDEN has assured itself of a second consecutive Hampden league open netball minor premiership.
COBDEN has assured itself of a second consecutive Hampden league open netball minor premiership.
The Bombers’ round 16 triumph over second placed Koroit at Cobden Recreation Reserve has moved them 12 points clear on top with just two games remaining in the home and away season.
Emily Finch led the scoring under the post with 29 goals, while Molly Hutt scored 23 in a best on court performance.
The 52-43 triumph was the Bombers’ biggest win over Koroit this season, bettering a one goal margin from round seven.
Cobden will round out its campaign with a home fixture against Terang Mortlake followed by a trip to Camperdown, with both of these matches likely to play a role in the make-up of the top five.
Camperdown currently holds onto fifth position, four points ahead of Terang Mortlake (sixth) with South Warrnambool (seventh) a further half a game in arrears.
Meanwhile the battle to secure a double chance is on in earnest, with Koroit (46 points), North Warrnambool (44) and Warrnambool (42) vying for just two positions.
The trio has a relatively soft run home, with no team facing opposition currently entrenched within the top five.
Cobden’s division one netballers went down to Koroit 40-33 in the battle for fifth position.
The Saints leapfrogged the Bombers on the ladder, as Cobden fell outside the top five by percentage.
The home side found themselves down by 16 goals at three quarter time before a resurgent final term saw them outscore Koroit 14-5.
Morgan Nelson (22 goals) was named best for the Bombers, supported by Hailey Mahony and Helene Foster.
Division two lost 37-26 in another head-to-head battle for ladder position.
The second and fourth quarters proved costly for the Bombers, as they matched their opposition on the scoreboard in both the first and third terms.
Sarsha Anderson led the scoring for Cobden with 13 goals, while Maddison Hickey, Hannah Justin (nine) and Tess Mounsey were named among the best.
The Bombers are destined to meet the Saints again in the qualifying final.
Cobden defeated Koroit 28-21 in division three netball.
The Bombers led at every change as Matilda Mason, Isabelle Corneby and Paige Turner were the top performers, while Grace Dawson led all scorers for the match with 18 goals.
The result leaves the Bombers in fifth position, one game clear of Camperdown, with a round 18 meeting between the two sides likely to determine who clinches the last spot in this year’s finals.
Last Saturday’s junior matches provided little joy on the scoreboard for Cobden.
The 17 and under girls went down 41-18 against the second placed Saints, finals aspirations took a hit for the 15 and under team following a 30-26 loss, while the 13 and under side was beaten 35-7 by the competition pacesetter.