Razorbacks hold off Cobras as Division 1 women’s heats up

Meg Saultry

Hawthorn AFC has suffered its first loss of the season, going down by 17 points to St Bedes/Mentone Tigers at Rathmines Road Reserve on Saturday. Little could split the two teams in the opening half, with the Tigers in front by a lone point at the major break. The Tigers capitalized on opportunity in the third term to stretch the lead to 15 points, a lead the Hawks could not dent as the two teams went goal for goal in the final quarter. Having not played since round two, Jacklyn Di Siervi returned with a best on ground performance for the Tigers. The victors’ forward line was balanced with five individual goal scorers, while Molly Johnston slotted each of Hawthorn’s three goals. The win returns the Tigers to the top of the ladder for the first time since Round 1, as the Hawks drop from first to third.

Swinburne Uni held off a fast finishing Canterbury by two points at St James Park to return to the winners list after a nightmare past fortnight, losing each of its past two games by over 60 points. An eight-point lead to Swinburne at half time helped buffer Canterbury’s fight back in the final term. The loss signals Canterbury’s first misstep of the season, ending a four game winning streak. Swinburne’s Jamie Byrne added another three goals to her season tally of 11 majors, while Eloise Mahoney was again excellent after an impressive first month of games. Canterbury’s Margeaux Henschke and Jacqueline Edwards kicked two goals apiece, with teammate Mary Spillane also impressive. Canterbury now slips from second to third on the competition ladder as Swinburne moves up two places into fifth.

Ivanhoe scored its third win of the season with Tahlia Day kicking all her side’s five goals to lead the team to a 16-point win over Therry Penola at John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve. With scores deadlocked at the first break, Ivanhoe held Therry Penola scoreless in the second term to build a strong 18-point lead, a margin that barely swayed throughout the second half. Day’s dominant performance was the highlight for Ivanhoe. Therry’s Bridget Costello was the best of the Lions while Eliza German was impressive for a second week in a row. Ivanhoe remains in fourth overall on the ladder with Therry Penola dropping from sixth to eighth.

South Melbourne Districts secured the four points after comfortably defeating UHS-VU by 20 points at Lindsay Hassett Oval. South Melbourne got off to a quick start with two goals in the opening term, but UHS-VU responded to outscore South Melbourne in the second quarter, Roisin McSweeney kicking VU’s sole goal to bring the margin within six points at half time. Returning after the break, South Melbourne steadied to build its lead back up and keep VU to two points for the remainder of the game. Ebony Lesinger was outstanding for South Melbourne, also contributing one of her team’s four goals, while Lily Davis was admirable for VU. The win moves South Melbourne up to sixth, as UHS-VU drops to seventh with a 2-3 record.