DARLEY’S Aughton sisters locked down Bacchus Marsh’s attacking end on Saturday to lead a 12-goal victory that keeps the Devils’ shot at Ballarat Netball League A-grade finals alive.
Darley is now best-of-the-rest after the 36-24 victory, its 4-8 record still two wins behind Lake Wendouree (6-7), while Bacchus Marsh (4-9) was bumped to eighth.
Playing coach Olivia Aughton and sister Bridget were goal- keeper and defence respectively as Darley edged the first half by the odd goal.
Accuracy was an issue at both ends of the court, with Darley goalers Elyce Carlyle and Bronwyn Coffey failing to capitalise, while Bacchus Marsh’s Stacey Jeffrey (17 goals) made a better fist of her limited looks at the net.
The A-grade top four all saluted again on Saturday with Melton’s push for the double chance continuing with a 43-goal win against Melton South.
The 63-20 win keeps Melton (10-2) on the heels of top pair North Ballarat City (11-1) and East Point (12-1).
Melissa McCauley (49 goals), Brooke Thompson and Amy Conroy were Melton’s best, while Jill Van Der Ross, Bridget Officer and Bonne Hobson were best for the Panthers.
Sunbury edged Lake Wendouree 37-36, while Redan beat Ballarat 58-12 and East Point beat Sebastopol 60-41.
In Riddell District Netball League, Melton Centrals’ unbeaten season on top of A-grade rolled on with a 71-31 thrashing of Diggers Rest.
Renee Hulls (53 goals), Rebecca Morabito and Mel Laird were the Blues’ best.
Macedon (fourth) kept its hopes of second place and the double chance alive by coming from nine down to beat Romsey 51-50, while Sunbury consolidated third spot with a 67-12 thrashing of Lancefield.
Wallan beat Woodend Hesket 51-14 in the weekend’s other match.
Victorian Netball League grand finals are tomorrow night at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
The under-19 and division 1 grand finals start at 7pm while City West Falcons face Peninsula Waves in the VNL championship decider from 9pm.
Look out for our picture galleries from the grand finals.
