-By Nathan Dole
CASTLEMAINE kicked away in the second half to defeat Eaglehawk in Friday night’s start to round nine in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy action.
The Magpies and Hawks played under the Camp Reserve lights in Castlemaine.
It was another superb start by the Jordan Cochrane-coached Castlemaine as it charged to a 31-6 lead by quarter-time.
Eaglehawk fought back brilliantly to score 3.1 and kept the Pies scoreless in the second term.
Heat was on as the Magpies led 31-25 at the long break.
Castlemaine then scored 3.4 to nil in the crucial third term.
Although the Hawks won the final term, 8-7, it was Castlemaine which led 60-33 at the final siren.
Magpies’ captain Tiahna Cochrane and Jemma Finning kicked three goals each as Brianna Burt booted two.
Eaglehawk’s leading goalkickers was Kelly Mensforth on two.
Best for Castlemaine were Tiahna Cochrane, Maeve Tupper, Jemma Finning, Abbey Bertram, Evie Nuttall and Taylah Sartori.
Eaglehawk coach Molly Metcalf was best along with Abbey Free, Kelly Mensforth, Lucy El Hage, Grace Edlin and Ellie Bailey.
A Friday night double involved the Marong and Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons clash at Scott Street in White Hills.
The Panthers led two-nil at quarter-time and then scored 4.1 as the Demons added a goal in the second.
Defences were well on top for most of the second half.
The Jimmy Evenden and Daniel Bourke coached Marong scored 1.2 and worked hard to keep the Demons scoreless.
Marong won 35-6 and celebrated its third victory of the season.
A list of goalkickers for both teams was not supplied.
Best for Marong were Hannah Cue, Lauren Knight, Katrina Alford, Jessica Jackson, Taylah Patching and Nell Hamilton.
Matilda Meersbergen, Oakley Turner, Chelsea Edwards, Sharni Barker, Tracey Anderson and Ella Henery were best for the Phil Murley-coached White Hills.
Round nine was completed on Sunday afternoon when Sandhurst took on North Bendigo at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Despite its inaccuracy, Sandhurst was able to score a four-goal win against the Bulldogs.
The Dragons scored 1.6 in the first term and 1.1 in the second as it led 19-1 by half-time.
North Bendigo hit back to win the third quarter, 9-6, as Ajay Turner was on target.
The maroon and blue which had a lot of the play in the last and added 1.3 as the Bulldogs were scoreless.
Scout Carmody kicked two goals as Sarah Baldwin and captain Ruby Campbell were also on target in a 34-10 victory.
Best for Sandhurst were Katie Walker, Arkie Donnelly, Scout Carmody, Sarah Baldwin, Ruby Campbell and Lara Bish.
A win-loss tally of four-three has the Andrew Saladino and Liam Ireland-coached Sandhurst in fourth place on the ladder.
Best for North Bendigo were Aisha Mansfield, Kira Gibbons, Ajay Turner, Kourtnie Prolongeau, Ashlyne McInnes and Quetta Holloway-Jinks.
The Bulldogs are coached by Jaydene Burzacott and Zak Carter.
Bendigo Thunder and Golden Square had the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 908 per cent, 28 points; Golden Square 565, 24; Eaglehawk 374, 20; Sandhurst 127, 16; Marong 91, 12; North Bendigo 40, 8; White Hills 39, 4; Bendigo Thunder 1, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
21 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
17 Kelly Mensforth, Eaglehawk.
16 Gabby Drage, Golden Square.
16 Liz Watkins, Golden Square.
15 Jemma Finning, Castlemaine.
12 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
11 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
11 Kira Gibbons, North Bendigo.
11 Sarah Mannes, Golden Square.
10 Scout Carmody, Sandhurst.
9 Amelie Haigh, White Hills.
8 Eillish Cumming, Castlemaine.
8 Chesea Reeves, Sandhurst.
7 Ruby Campbell, Sandhurst.
7 Kodi Jacques, Golden Square.
7 Samantha Johnston, Eaglehawk.
7 Charlotte Scanlon, Sandhurst.
It was a rest for the Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls competition on the King’s Birthday holiday weekend.
Round 10 kicks off next Friday with a night match between Eaglehawk and Golden Square from 5.30pm at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
Two matches on Sunday will start at 11.15am.
Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons take on Woorinen in Scott Street, White Hills.
Strathfieldsaye faces Golden Square at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Kangaroo Flat has the bye.