A GROUP of five teams, including Dederang-Mount Beauty, remain undefeated after three rounds of the Tallangatta and District Netball Association's A grade competition. The Bombers’ latest win of 70-29, by far their biggest this season in terms of goals scored and winning margin, was reached against Wodonga Saints in Wodonga last Saturday in a decisive manner. Slow starts have haunted DMB at times in the last season or two, but they wasted no time finding their groove in the first quarter this time around with an early 19-5 lead, followed by more of the same in the second quarter to effectively shut the door on any chance of a Saints comeback, with the advantage widening to 21 goals at half-time. The second half was almost an exact replica of the first half, with the Bombers wearing down their opponents with run and dash, which was helped by the use of an extended squad of ten players contributing to the victory. In a game where they could have easily put the cue in the rack on a hot April afternoon once the win was sealed, Dederang-Mount Beauty pressed hard to extend the margin right until the end, with an emphatic 41-goal margin separating the two teams after 60 minutes. Dederang-Mount Beauty’s A grade netball coach Alex Dyde said that her side put in plans to counter the sweltering on-court conditions, whilst also complementing the team’s chemistry at both ends of the court. “It was definitely a hot one yesterday, so we brought a few B Graders up to support A Grade in the heat,” Dyde said. “It gave us options to rotate through and manage the fatigue, which worked well.” “Our full court defensive pressure is becoming a strong point for us, as well as smart plays and patience in the attacking end to provide plenty of opportunity to score.” On the flip side, in what was a disastrous afternoon for the senior football team, Dederang-Mount Beauty was defeated by Wodonga Saints by a whopping 202 points – 1.4 (10) to 32.20 (212) The Saints brought up the double ton late in the final quarter, while the Bombers could only muster one goal, which came from the boot of Alex Heiner in the opening term. Dederang-Mount Beauty players, officials and supporters will have the opportunity to rest over the Easter long weekend, with a league-wide bye schedule for Easter Saturday, before hosting Beechworth in Mount Beauty on Saturday, April 26.
