SKIPTON has consolidated its place at the top of the Central Highlands Netball League A-grade ladder with a thumping 33-goal victory over Dunnstown on the weekend, winning 72-29.
While the opening quarter was a tense affair, the Emus began to shoot ahead in the second term, which set the tone for the remainder of the encounter.
Skipton recruit Sarah Moroney was pivotal for the home side in goal defence, while fellow former Hampton League player Marlie Boyd was also influential.
The showdown with the Towners was the first true test for the Emu’s, who faced 2015 cellar-dwellers Rokewood and Smythesdale in their opening two fixtures.
Skipton coach Rhian Moresi said the win was an important confidence booster for the ladder leaders who lost against the dangerous Towners in 2015.
“I said to the girls just because we’ve played a couple of weaker sides doesn’t mean we should let our guard down,” Moresi said. “One thing were doing a lot differently this year is we’re putting all four quarters together with no lulls or poor patches with a drop of intensity.”
After three rounds Skipton are one of four teams yet to be defeated, with Waubra, Bungaree and Springbank all yet to drop a match in season 2016.
Waubra was a comfortable victor over Smythesdale, breezing past the Bulldogs 58-25, while Bungaree easily accounted for Clunes 59-23. Springbank was forced to work harder for its four points, recording a nine goal win over the in-form Buninyong 51-42.
Elsewhere in the league Newlyn recorded a promising triumph over Beaufort at home on Saturday, prevailing by seven goals 39-32 for the Cats’ second victory of the season. Ballan proved too strong for rivals Gordon, while Learmonth continued its push for a top four place with a convincing 31 goal drubbing of Creswick.
Carngham-Linton was dispatched by Rokewood 48-33 in its round three encounter, while in the final game of the round Daylesford proved too strong for cross-town rivals Hepburn in the spa country derby, taking the points in a nail biter 40-37.
