THE WEEKEND marked the first round of the VJBL U18 Girls VC Championship division, after the competition underwent some regrading based on form throughout 2025, although it seems the Sandringham Sabres are still the team to beat.

The Sabres were unbeaten over the first few months of the season, with no side able to truly put together a four-quarter performance against the bronze medallists from the 2024 Under 18s Club Championships, and they were firming for another winning season.

On Friday night, they came up against the Eltham Wildcats, who had been strong themselves to start the season, and deserved their placing in the top division, but would face a baptism of fire after being matched up against the title favourites in Round 1.

Although the Wildcats did put up a fight and made the Sabres nervous for much of the match, Sandringham’s class shone through for an eight-point win at Montmorency Secondary College.

Eltham Wildcats (51) def. by Sandringham Sabres (58)

It was a strong start as expected from the Sabres despite being in enemy territory, jumping out to a quick seven-point buffer on the back of some excellent scoring inside the paint. Eltham tried to cut away at the deficit, but looked to be trailing by double-digits at the first change, although a buzzer-beating effort from Sophie Richardson did reduce the margin down to eight.

Remarkably, the home side flipped the game on its head with a dominant second frame, completely taking over the match and holding Sandringham to just four points in one of its least productive periods of the season. It was an excellent display from the Wildcats, who managed to take a two-point lead into the main break and show what they were capable of.

It was quite the response coming out of halftime from the Sabres, who regained control of the match with an excellent performance in the third frame. The Sabres dropped 24 points in the quarter alone, with Madison Ryan heavily involved on the scoring front, leading her team to an 11-point buffer at the final change.

The fourth term was the most contested of the game, with both sides scrapping to try and gain ascendancy and snatch back the momentum. Although the Wildcats fought bravely to try and retake the lead, the Sabres simply know how to win, and it was a defining factor as the visitors held on for another victory.

Ryan was the star of the show for the Sabres, dropping 23 of her team’s 58 points in a tremendous individual effort. She helped turn Sandringham’s fortunes around with a damaging performance in the third quarter and was the most influential factor in the match. Also catching the eye was Ella Wickstrom, who had 12 points of her own in a crucial showing.

Richardson was Eltham’s best, matching Ryan’s output with 23 points of her own, and playing a crucial role in keeping the Wildcats within striking distance. She was far and away the standout for Eltham and can hold her head high.

ACROSS THE COURTS

The Melbourne Tigers held on for a six-point win over the Nunawading Spectres at Nunawading Basketball Centre on Friday night, largely thanks to the efforts of Laura Seiz, who dropped 33 points in a masterful offensive display.

The Dandenong Rangers got their VC Championship campaign off to the perfect start, producing a 29-point win over Bulleen at Dandenong Stadium, proving relentless on the defensive end and holding the opposition to just 29 points.

Geelong United travelled to Bentleigh Secondary Stadium and claimed a seven-point win over the McKinnon Cougars on Friday, owning the second and third quarters to hold on for an impressive victory on the road.

Finally, in a low-scoring clash, the Kilsyth Cobras claimed a seven-point triumph over the Keilor Thunder at Kilsyth Basketball Stadium, scrapping their way to a gutsy win and start off their time in the new division with a win.