Here’s a quick glimpse at some of the sporting news from around the area in the last week.
Football
East Sunbury kept its finals hopes alive with its first ever win over Coburg Districts in division 2 of the Essendon District Football League. In one of its best performances of the season, the Thunder jumped out of the blocks and was never headed, winning 15.16 (106)-5.6 (36). Lucas Shaw kicked four goals and Thomas Galea three, while Lachlan Brne was judged best on ground. Brne, who’s still eligible to play under-18.5s, has been named among the Thunder’s best players in three of his four senior games. The Thunder is fifth on the ladder, a game outside the top four.
Netball
Sunbury Lions lost a thrilling grand final rematch against North Ballarat City in the Ballarat Netball League on Saturday. It was an up-and-down game with both sides having periods of dominance. Despite leading by four goals at the last break, the Lions couldn’t hold on, losing 53-51. Goal attack Laura Carland (22 goals) was best for the Lions, who remain fourth on the ladder.
Soccer
Gisborne proved no match for Laverton Park in FFV state league 5 west. In what was a catch-up game, Gisborne struggled to match the might of Laverton Park, who piled on the goals for a 7-1 win. Gisborne is seventh on the ladder. Kyneton District and state league 2 north-west side Sunbury United both had the weekend off.
Basketball
Sunbury Jets’ see-sawing season continued with a loss to Mildura on Saturday. Travelling up the freeway, the Jets would have been confident of a win against the lower-placed Heat. They did lead, by four points at quarter-time and two just before half-time, but they couldn’t maintain their high shooting percentage, which brought the 84-93 result. Ish Sanders top-scored for the Jets with 29 points.
Football
The Calder Cannons made it four straight wins in the TAC Cup with victory against Bendigo Pioneers on Sunday. It was an even first quarter, before four goals to one in the second saw the Cannons open up a 20-point lead at the main break. The margin rose to 38 at the last break as the Cannons went on to win 13.15 (93)-10.16 (76). Noah Balta kicked three goals in his second game of the season, while Ben Ronke and Zach Guthrie were best on ground.
Golf
Tony Freeman handled the tricky wet conditions best on Saturday to win the Romsey Golf Club’s stroke competition. While the skies were clear, the greens were wet from rain during the week and most players struggled to play consistently over the 18 holes. Freeman was the only player to really handle the course, winning 91/23/68, three strokes clear of Michael McCarten, Chris Van DerVliet and Les Gaunt. Meanwhile, Wendy Gosden won the monthly medal for the women.