Lancaster faces one more hurdle in Kyabram District League minor premiership race as injury toll mounts

Aug 11, 2024

Lancaster's Phillipa Inglis will likely miss the remainder of the year with a suspected serious knee injury. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

It all comes down to one more round of Kyabram District League netball after a pulsating slate of round 16 fixtures at the weekend.

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The minor premiership race is down to two as Lancaster and Girgarre get set for a showdown — but neither will have it their own way with two finals contenders standing in their respective ways.

That’s all a matter for next week, though; the Wombats kept two hands on the summit for the time being after powering past the stern challenge of Stanhope.

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Stanhope’s Katelyn Power stands by Lancaster’s Zoe Hayes after a free. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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Stanhope’s Tanesha Nurse attempts to block Lancaster’s Millie Hill. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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Lancaster’s Lexi Thomas gives it and goes with a fast one. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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Stanhope’s Taylor Sutton and Lancaster’s Lexi Thomas prepare as the ball approaches. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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Stanhope’s Jinaya Nurse receives inside the arc. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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Lancaster’s Lexi Thomas turns away from a challenge. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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Lancaster’s Phillipa Inglis restarts play from the centre. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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Stanhope’s Jamieson Young looks for an option before the restart. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Clinging to its own ambitions of September netball, Stanhope did not go quietly in the face of its rampant visitors.

Lancaster had a serious point to prove, however, after the unbeaten season went up in smoke following a surprise defeat to Nagambie a week prior.

Sitting level at quarter-time, Lancaster pushed away with big strides in the second and third before ace midcourter Phillipa Inglis came down with what’s believed to be a season-ending torn ACL to sour an already injury-ravaged Lancaster’s mood.

The Wombats were certainly pushed, but the four points came home with them as expected, remaining a game clear of Girgarre after prevailing 55-42.

Ruing serious knee injuries in back-to-back weeks, coach Michelle Hill knows the feeling all too well.

“It was a good win and a really nice, clean and good standard of netball with Stanhope,” Hill said.

“Pip may have done her ACL after Caddy (Mulholland) did hers five minutes into the Nagambie game last week; we’ve had seven first-team injuries this season.

“That was Pip’s first game back for five weeks and she went down again, but as I always say, the seven I put on will always be a strong seven. I’m just devastated for Pip and Caddy as those are real blows.

“Zoe Hayes played wing attack and hadn’t done that much before, so she slotted in there and both of our defenders did very well.

“I’ve never coached a side with someone either injured or on holiday every week. We haven’t had a full team and we’re not going to now.”

Knowing the difficult task of matching up with Shepparton East is right around the corner, Hill’s message was nonetheless resolute.

“It’ll be tough the next few weeks, but we’re a good side and we’ll bring up some B-graders,” Hill said.

“Our defence and goaling ends will stay similar, but that midcourt will have to change up.

“I think most girls have a best-on from the umpires this season, which suggests it’s all very consistent with versatile, good players in the squad.”

With that in mind, the Kangaroos came to Tallygaroopna knowing only a win would keep any lingering hopes of unseating the Wombats alive against a Redlegs outfit which had endured a mid-season renaissance, but appeared to be running out of steam.

Resistance proved futile for the hosts as Girgarre set about making a clear statement that the race for top spot would mathematically go to the end, running over the top with ease to win 48-22 as Tallygaroopna suffered its third straight defeat.

Just as Girgarre kept its own ambitions intact for now, so too did Shepparton East courtesy of a gigantic win over Longwood.

The unchallenged 80-17 result keeps the Eagles a win away from a potential top-two berth, having bowed out of the pole position race following defeat to Dookie United a week prior, with a massive and long-awaited clash with Lancaster waiting on the regular season’s final day.

Nagambie has earned its share of security in fourth with a terrific run of form down the back end of the season, having become the only side to fry the big fish last week, and the streak continued with victory at home to Murchison-Toolamba.

The 59-35 win marked win number eight on the bounce for the surging Lakers, who enjoy a one-game gap with sizeable percentage separating them from fifth.

Stanhope’s defeat to the Wombats meant Dookie United had earned a spot in finals regardless of its own result against Undera as the Thunder gear up for their last September run under the Kyabram District banner.

There were no surprises to be found on the day as the Lions crashed to their third straight loss after comprehensively falling 71-35 to the teal and white.

Though Merrigum’s season has but a week remaining after crashing to a winless month of July, the Bulldogs were at least able to stop the rot via a solid 49-32 triumph over bottom side Rushworth to consolidate a 5-10 record.

Sunday had Violet Town and Avenel clash in a mini-elimination final, with the stage potentially due to be set for a three-way shootout with Stanhope for sixth spot if the Swans could keep their season alive.

Four goals would prove the difference between contention and conclusion for Avenel’s hopes, though, with the Towners taking their fight to the last round by winning 41-37 at home.