MELBOURNE Tigers Youth Championship Women’s side flexed its muscles and made a title statement on the weekend with a dominant 25-point victory over the previously unbeaten Dandenong Rangers. In a memorable match, the Tigers blew away their opponents away with 52 points to 28 through the middle two quarters and never let Dandenong get close, putting the cue in the rack through the final term.

While the Tigers were coming off a 22-point win over Casey in Round 1, the Rangers had blitzed McKinnon by 40 points, then backed up with a 15-point triumph over Bulleen. Both considered among the best sides in the Women’s Youth Championship, it was the home team that set the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC) alive with a 33-17 second term.

Prior to that it had been neck and neck (20-19), and sensing the momentum was with them, the Tigers kept the pressure up after half-time, pouring on 18 points to 11 in the penultimate quarter to head into the last change with a 72-47 lead. While both side put up 12 points in the fourth term as rotations were used, the match was done and dusted with Melbourne taking over Dandenong’s top spot following Round 2.

It was an even contribution from the Tigers, with skipper Leila Davis picking up a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Hayley Cumming (15 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals) did a little of everything. Josie Agnew top scored with 19 points – including five of 11 from downtown – while Tayli Dimarco was incredible at both end, recording five steals as well as five rebounds – four offensive – and six assists to go with her 13 points.

While the Tigers shared the rock around, it was a different story for the visitors as captain Georgia Taylor, and Marianela Fakalata produced the bulk of the Rangers’ scoring. Taylor pulled in 10 rebounds to finish with a double-double that included 18 points and two blocks, while Fakalata shot 23 points and managed three assists. Elsewhere, Danielle Hamilton (six points, seven rebounds) was the next best as all 12 Dandenong players got on court throughout the match.

AROUND THE COURTS

McKinnon Cougars to showed why they are a threat in the 2025 Youth Championship Women’s competition with back-to-back wins on the road against Casey Cavaliers and Ringwood Hawks. It has been a rough start for the Cavaliers who find themselves 0-3, marginally ahead of Frankston Blues who have suffered the same win-loss record, while Bendigo Braves are the only other winless team, from two matches.

McKinnon’s back-to-back wins was a bounce-back from last week’s defeat, while Keilor Thunder, Diamond Valley Eagles, Kilsyth Cobras and Waverley Falcons remain undefeated from the first two rounds of action and occupy the top five spots with the Tigers. The Rangers, Altona Gators and the Cougars round out the top eight with positive ledgers.

ROUND 2 RESULTS