Swifts fought out an important six-goal win against Harrow-Balmoral to keep a Horsham District Football Netball League A Grade finals berth in play on Saturday.

The Baggies trail sixth-placed Kaniva-Leeor United by eight premiership points and about 11 per cent, but with the Cougars scheduled for a last-round bye, the Swifts are still capable of snatching the last finals spot.

A loss at the weekend would have all but ended their chances, however the Baggies had to endure some nervous moments against the Roos.

Playing at North Park, the home side led by three goals at quarter time, six by the half and nine at the final change, but the determined Roos, led by a hot-shooting goal tandem of Tori Dunstan and Tara McIntyre, refused to lie down.

They scored 16 goals in the final quarter to eat into the Baggies’ lead, but were unable to get their noses in front as Swifts held on to win 56-50.

Michaela Armer and Rebekkah Seeary were on song for the home side in goals, while goal defence Edwina Flakemore did well to limit McIntyre through the first three quarters.

Kaniva-Leeor United did all it could to keep ahead of Swifts, downing Pimpinio 51-39 on the road.

The Cougars got a dream start to lead by eight goals at quarter time, slowly extending the margin from there on as Kahli Maddern blanketed Pimpinio opponents Ada Binney and Jayde Ellis in goals.

Natimuk United gave its home crowd plenty to cheer about with an upset 53-37 win against Edenhope-Apsley, led by a 48-goal performance from Emma Uebergang.

In the absence of star goalie Lavinia Fox, the Saints relied heavily on Tahlia Sailor to score, but could not find an effective foil for her as Krystal De Jong, Amy Geary and co-coach Sarah Domaschenz rotated through goal attack with limited success.

Rupanyup cruised to the most dominant win of the round, beating Taylors Lake 71-31 at Rupanyup Recreation Reserve.

Panther goalie Zanaiya Bergen was on fire, missing only 10 of her 64 goal attempts, with Meg Cashin ascendant in the midcourt.

Laker Lilly Weir gave her all, playing three different positions in the loss.

Edenhope-Apsley will attempt to bounce back against the Baggies at Edenhope this weekend, with Harrow-Balmoral to play Laharum, Noradjuha-
Quantong and Rupanyup to face off in a top-three clash, Kaniva-Leeor United to host Kalkee and Pimpinio on the road against Taylors Lake.

– Colin MacGillivray

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