Old Yarra upset as Port Melbourne charge up the ladder

Round 12 of Premier B Women’s saw Old Yarra claim their second win of the season in emphatic fashion, dismantling Parkside by 46 points and Port Melbourne Chargers returned to their best with a dominant 44-point victory over Old Xaverians.

Beaumaris extended their perfect run to 12 games with a strong win over Williamstown CYMS and Old Melburnians held off Glen Eira/Old McKinnon in another tight affair to keep a firm hold of their spot in second.

Williamstown CYMS 0.7 (7) def by Beaumaris 4.9 (33)

Beaumaris continues to prove themselves as the benchmark of the competition, defeating Williamstown CYMS by 26 points. 

Williamstown dominated the opening term territorially, kicking three behinds while keeping Beaumaris scoreless.

However, the Sharks were able to compose themselves at quarter time, with their midfield seizing control of the game from the second term onwards. Goals to Ysabella Gavin and Claire Weiss established a 10-point lead by half-time, before they extended their advantage to 26 in the second half.

Beaumaris coach Damian Farrow credited his side’s ability to respond after a sluggish start.

“Our midfield was able to dominate stoppages and once we used that dominance to get repeat forward entries we turned the game our way,” Farrow said. “Albeit we were fortunate that Willy didn’t take their goal-kicking opportunities.”

Farrow praised Claire Weiss and Cassandra Newman for terrific games, while noting his side’s slow start will be a focus heading into the next round.

For Williamstown, Jess Court, Sharnie Whiting and Alexandra Woodhead were among the best in what was a brave effort that frustrated the league leaders for long stretches.

Old Melburnians 3.3 (21) def Glen Eira/Old McKinnon 2.4 (16)

At Elsternwick Park, Old Melburnians held off a competitive Glen Eira/Old McKinnon by five points in yet another tense affair for the Omelettes.

Old Melburnians struck first with two goals in the opening term to establish a seven-point buffer, but Glen Eira fought their way back into the contest, trailing by just five at half-time. A goal apiece in the third kept the margin steady, before a low-scoring final quarter saw the Omelettes hold on.

Old Melburnians assistant coach Nic Stephens said his side’s early start was again the difference.

“As seems to be the way this season for the Omelettes, a lot of the credit has to go towards how we started the game,” Stephens said. “We were able to get two goals in the first and then relied a lot on our defensive pressure around the ground to keep Glen Eira from coming back at us.”

Stephens acknowledged his side is winning games the hard way but said the experience within the group is paying off.

“As much as my blood pressure would prefer that we were able to win these types of games by a bit more of a significant margin, we were really pleased with the girls’ ability to dig in when things got tight and win it the hard way.”

Emma Cafferkey had an outstanding day as the sole ruck due to injuries, while Bella Freeman with all three goals was the star in attack. Clare Fraser, Issy Rankin-Ward, Sally Peers and Georgia Dunlop held up in defence, and Zari Mildenhall and Jess Trend were instrumental through the midfield.

Looking ahead to their next match, Stephens highlighted the excitement of the approaching milestone game for Issy Rankin-Ward, who will become the first Omelette to reach 100 club games.

Parkside 1.5 (11) def by Old Yarra Cobras 9.3 (57)

Meanwhile, at Pitcher Park Old Yarra produced their best performance of the season, overwhelming Parkside by 46 points.

The Cobras were electric from the opening bounce, kicking four straight first-quarter goals to race out to an 18-point lead at quarter-time.

Parkside’s lone goal to Madison Katerelos briefly offered hope, but Old Yarra continued to pile on the pressure, adding two more goals in the second term to lead by 29 points at half-time.

The onslaught continued after the break, with Bree-Anna Kavanagh (two goals), Alannah Murray and Jayla Thorne all slotting two goals each in what was a dominant four-quarter effort.

Parkside coach Anthony Romano conceded his side was outworked.

“We struggled to get the game on our terms, they were harder for longer,” he said. “We just didn’t get our running game going.”

Romano singled out Alice Mayne, Annabelle Crisp and Hannah Baird as solid contributors in an otherwise tough afternoon.

Old Xaverians 3.3 (21) def by Port Melbourne Chargers 10.5 (65)

Port Melbourne Chargers returned to the winners list in emphatic fashion, downing Old Xaverians by 44 points.

The Chargers set the tone from the outset, with Georgia Harris opening the scoring before Old Xaverians’ Annabelle Gangi responded to trail by seven points at the first break.

From there, it was all Port Melbourne, a devastating six-goal second quarter, highlighted by two goals apiece to Amelie Kamberis and Vaiola Walshe, blew the game wide open and gave the Chargers a 39-point lead at the main break.

Old Xaverians, who were significantly undermanned with several players out with ‘the Tullamarine Flu,’ could not stem the tide.

Hannah Deane and Sienna McLeish provided Old Xavs’ only other goals, but Port Melbourne’s transition game was too slick and organised.

Port Melbourne coach Harriet Cooper said the result was built on transition, a phase the Chargers have been drilling all season.

“Our ability to break lines and move the ball fluidly from defence to attack was the difference-maker,” Cooper said.

Cooper was thrilled with her side’s cohesion, praising the group for playing for each other from the first siren to the last. She gave special mention to the defensive unit, who “are consistently rock solid and set up everything we want to do across the rest of the ground.”

For Old Xaverians, coach Doug Greenough was blunt in his assessment.

“Port won the midfield battle. We were fumbly with the ball and on the back foot from the start,” Greenough said.

Emily Callinan stood out on the wing for the Xavs, with Hannah Deane and Amy Benifer also prominent despite the result.

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Next week, Old Melburnians host Old Xaverians in a clash between two top-four sides that could prove decisive in the finals race, while Port Melbourne Chargers will look to continue their resurgence when they welcome Parkside to JL Murphy Reserve.

Beaumaris face Old Yarra Cobras as they look to maintain their perfect record, and Glen Eira/Old McKinnon host Williamstown CYMS in a contest between two sides separated by just one win on the ladder.