The Standard | RUSSELLS Creek has become the latest side to throw itself into the Warrnambool and District league A grade finals mix.
The Kangaroos produced their best performance of the season to see off an understrength Nirranda 54-22 at Mack Oval yesterday.
The win was their first of the season, following losses to Allansford and Timboon Demons and a draw against Kolora-Noorat.
Coach Rhiannon Cuomo was rapt to break the season duck. The Kangaroos led 25-12 at half-time and powered home with a 16-4 final term. “Our girls today were just consistent across the four quarters. That’s what we’ve been working on from the start of the season,” she said.
“Our idea was to get a lead and build on the lead, which is what we did. All credit to them, they didn’t look at the scoreboard.
“We were 20 goals up at three-quarter-time and played how we wanted to play and worked on the things we wanted to work on.”
Tara Eccles dropped 31 goals to lead all scorers while recruit Nadine Porter hit 23. Goal keeper Nikole Sullivan was their best. The Blues also acknowledged the efforts of their goal keeper Callen Bourke. Rebecca Young led their scoring with 17 nets.
Cuomo tipped the Kangaroos, who finished ninth last season with a 6-12 record, to be one of the big improvers this season.
“After our first week, I know we lost by 10 (against the Demons) but I could see massive improvement in the girls from last year,” she said.
“That’s what we’ve been focusing on and trying to do. Maybe the 12 months together plus the addition of Nadine has helped.
“She’s another mature head down that end of the court around the young girls, which is a real calming influence. She keeps the girls level-headed.”
In other results, Deakin University broke through for its first win of the season with a 48-41 triumph over South Rovers at the Pond.
The Sharks led by one goal with 15 minutes to play and shot clear with a 15-9 final period. Melissa Burt hit 34 goals while defender Eden Brown was best-on-court.
Merrivale also benefited from a final-quarter burst against Panmure at Panmure Recreation Reserve. A 14-6 final quarter allowed the Tigers to run out 45-34 winners.
Timboon Demons won all four terms en route to a 48-29 victory against Allansford at Timboon Recreation Reserve, rising to third in the process. Katie Burt shot 58 goals to lead Dennington to a big win against East Warrnambool, 73-18, at Dennington Recreation Reserve.
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