For the first time 15-and-under netball was on the interleague menu as the Goulburn Valley League and Ovens and Murray League went toe-to-toe.
Given the honour of opening proceedings on Saturday morning at Deakin Reserve, the clash immediately became a physical one.
The O&M girls were making the best of some wayward early passes and established the game’s first foothold, which looked less and less likely to fall the other way over time.
The physicality continued with hardly a soft metre gained by either side on the court throughout the first half, but a well-timed interception here and there threatened the GVL girls’ undoing.
By the second half’s early stages the O&M was steadily building, consistently taking two out of three scores as the margin began to widen.
A 15-goal margin looked nigh on impossible to overcome, but the GVL girls, having trailed at every change, stepped up the poise to deliver a small victory in the final 15 minutes.
It was sorted by that stage, though, as the O&M claimed the day’s first piece of silverware in a 49-36 win.
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The O&M’s Lily Lister comes in to receive a pass. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 9
The O&M’s Brylee Carkeek sizes up the ring. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 9
It was a chilly morning at Deakin, but there were plenty of supporters on hand for the day’s opener. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 9
The GVL’s Lexie McKenzie looks to keep it moving. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 9
The O&M’s Chloe Hale brings it out of defence. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 9
The GVL’s Kate Head looks for attacking options. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 9
The GVL’s Eva Clydesdale goes lateral with a pass. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 9
The O&M's Zali Fryer and the GVL's Kate Head contest the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 9
The GVL’s Elliana Gray goes to restart play. Photo by Megan FisherIn addition to striking first on the team front, the inaugural 15-and-under best-on-ground award fell the way of the visitors as well with Wangaratta Rovers wing defence Lainey Draper receiving recognition.
Despite the defeat, co-coaches and Seymour A-grade teammates Courtney Aldous and Ellie Fuhrmeister — herself set for Open competition later on — saw plenty of upside in the youngest interleague squad of the day.
“I think it was a really physical game and our girls put plenty out there,” Fuhrmeister said.
“You’ve got to do the basics right and the girls continued to do their best.
“Scarlett Byers was a workhorse all day in a couple of different positions and Eva Clydesdale was really good as well.
“Everyone contributed and tried their best in moments.”
Aldous was in total agreement about the GVL standouts.
“Eva and Scarlett were good steadiers and very impactful players who were both hungry for the ball,” Aldous said.
“They were all hungry and very excited and I was really proud of the effort they put out.
“Everyone had an opportunity to step up and contribute and they’re a very talented group of girls for their age.
“We threw a lot of different combinations out there, but their goal shooter moved well.”
The 15-and-under group had one more important stop to make at the weekend with Wodonga hosting the Netball Victoria Association Championships on Sunday.