BALLARAT Netball League title contenders continue to pull away from the rest of the pack, with a decreasing likelihood that the top four will drop a game to the other seven teams in A-grade.
Melton put on a stellar defensive display on Sunday to strangle Ballarat and win by 50 goals.
Ballarat was still in single figures at three-quarter time and shot just 11 goals for the game as the dominant Bloods scored 61.
Melissa McCauley was an unstoppable force under the ring for Melton, shooting 56 of 67, while Amy Conroy and Brooke Thompson kept the mid-court ticking over.
Melton is third after the win (8-2) and behind top pair North Ballarat City (40) and East Point (40). Sunbury (34) is fourth after having the bye.
East Point was challenged in the first quarter by Melton South on Saturday but broke away with a 13-4 second quarter to set up a 50-33 victory.
Andrea Tai (21 goals), Jenna Nicolle and Bonne Hobson were Melton South’s best in the defeat.
Top team North Ballarat City welcomed back its Victorian Netball League players to field a full strength outfit, beating Redan 56-47.
The battle for sixth spot took a turn for the worse for Bacchus Marsh, which lost 62-25 to Lake Wendouree.
The Lakers (5-5) hold sixth place ahead of the Cobras (4-6).
Jennifer Lawford was Bacchus Marsh’s best.
Sunbury Lions and Darley both had the bye and will return to court against each other at Darley Park this weekend.
