IN Round 5 of the Melbourne United Victorian Junior League (MUVJBL) Under-18 Girls competition, Dandenong Rangers got a huge win on the road against a dominant Knox Raiders. The result marks only the Raiders second loss for the year – having lost two at home from six appearances. The Rangers snare their third consecutive win as they begin to make their case for top-four, contending in fifth with three sides also contesting on nine wins. NBL1 Representative, Elly Morgan, was dominant for the Rangers, putting up a game-high 16 points alongside NBL1 teammates, Hannah Rapp and Leia Hanafin who had 13 and 11 points respectively. For the Raiders, Zoe Jenkins starred, dropping 12 points in the result. NBL representative, Charlise Dunn was also impressive, amassing 10 points on her way to 15th spot for league scoring.

Nunawading Spectres closed the gap on Knox following their 69-48 win over Diamond Valley Eagles at home. The Spectres move to third, equal with Bulleen Boomers on 11 wins and three losses. The win marks Nunawading’s eleventh consecutive win, while Diamond Valley worsen their away record with a fifth loss from their sixth outing. In the match, the Spectres won every term. In the second they scored a game-high 22 points to take a 38-26 lead into the main break as Nunawading’s lead continued to grow throughout the second half. NBL1 representative, Louisa Fakalata dropped 16 points for the Spectres and moved to second spot for league scoring. Maddison Zugna also continued her good form with 13 points – moving into sixth for league scoring. For the Eagles, Eliza Bannan led scoring with 12 points, followed next by Jade Dunne and Abby Hildebrand who had seven each.

Bulleen Boomers pressed on Knox in second place following their 59-50 win at home against the Hawthorn Magic. The Magic dropped out of the eight following the result, as five teams sit just one win above them. In the match-up, the Boomers led scoring for both opening terms to take a 39-33 lead into the break. They followed with consecutive 10-point terms as Hawthorn went 3-14 to close out the game. Casey Valenti-Paea took centre stage for the Boomers, dropping a team-high 19 points on her way to eighth spot for league scoring, while Alexandra Keating retains top spot following a 16-point performance. For the Magic, Ryleh Killian took control to lead the game with 20 points against a two of the league’s best scorers. Her efforts moves her to fifth across the league, assisted well by Ella Crump who had nine.

To snare sixth spot on the table, Bendigo Braves defeated Geelong Supercats on the road (54-59) in a five-point thriller. The Braves now contest with a handful of teams four the final spot in the top-four, with the remaining three sitting two wins ahead. The Supercats fall to thirteenth following the result, suffering a rare loss at home given their previous 4-1 record. In the game, Geelong owned the first half – entering the break with 29-25 lead. Though they failed to withstand the Braves in the second, falling to a game-high 20 points in the third and recording the game’s lowest score (9-14) for the final term. NBL representative, Piper Dunlop dominated the floor for the Braves, recording 21 points to move to third spot for league scoring. Meg McCarthy was next best for the Braves with nine points. For the Supercats, NBL1 representatives, Alishia Knights and Carly Remmos, led scoring with 17 and 13 points respectively.

Altona Gators join the top-eight following their huge 58-74 win on the road against Southern Peninsula. The loss marks five consecutive for the Sharks as they slip to fourteenth on the table. The Gators snare their second consecutive victory – returning from the break in top form as they move up the table. In the contest, the Gators took a 32-29 lead into the break before shutting out the game with a 24-11 third term. Trinity Steele had a huge game for the Gators, scoring 21 points to move to twentieth spot for league scoring. Kayla Salmons and Alicia Sciberras were also impressive, dropping 14 and 12 points respectively. For Peninsula, Charli Dobson holds in fourth spot for league scoring with 15 points alongside Emirson Devenie and Gemma Simon who had 14 and 11 respectively.

In the reserve grade, Frankston Blues copped a belting at home from Nunawading Spectres (46-71), Keilor Thunder finished similarly over Pakenham Warriors (75-42), as Melbourne Tigers clinched a tight 69-65 victory against Broadmeadows Broncos. The round continued with Dandenong Rangers losing 32-60 against Kilsyth Cobras and Warrandyte Venom suffering a loss to McKinnon Cougars.

In the Championship Division for Round 6, Southern Peninsula Sharks go head-to-head with Dandenong Rangers, Bulleen Boomers hope for an easy task in Geelong Supercats and Diamond Valley Eagle test against Altona Gators. We follow on with the Knox Raiders versing Bendigo Braves and Nunawading Spectres hoping for 12 consecutive against Hawthorn Magic.