The run to finals is well and truly starting to shake things up a bit in the Mid South East Netball Association.
Last weekend’s matches featured some surprising results, making it clear that this year’s finals campaign will be a tightly contested series.
In round 15 second placed Glencoe lowered the colours of top spot Kalangadoo, inflicting the Pies’ second loss for the season, while Mount Burr and Hatherleigh played out a draw.
Sixth placed Port MacDonnell defeated fourth placed Robe, while Tantanoola had the only easy win of the weekend, downing cellar dwellers Nangwarry.
Round 16 this week features two matches that will be close contests, and another two that look like walkovers.
Kongorong v Kalangadoo
Kongorong will host the battle of the birds on Saturday, when the ladder leading Mapgies visit the Hawks.
Kongorong is coming off the bye while the Pies will be looking for a strong bounceback win after going down to Glencoe last week.
Kalangadoo has now lost two matches this season, the first against Tant in round 5, and the second against second placed Glencoe.
Kongorong sits eighth on the ladder, having only recorded the one win for the season when it downed Nangwarry.
The Hawks should prove little trouble for the Pies, but the reigning premiers are unlikely to go easy given they are in engaged in a battle for top spot with the Murphies, so will be looking for a percentage boosting win.
Robe v Mount Burr
Fourth placed Robe is coming off a loss to sixth placed Port MacDonnell, while fifth spot Mount Burr last week played out a draw with seventh placed Hatherleigh.
This will be an enthralling match, given a win by the Burr should be enough to bump them up to level fourth with the Roosters.
Saturday is shaping up to be a lovely day to visit the seaside (if you can rely on the weather forecast), with sunny skies and no rain on the horizon.
Whether that will be enough to get the Burr the win remains to be seen.
One thing is for sure, Robe will prove a tough opponent on their home court.
Glencoe v Nangwarry
Glencoe is well and truly on the march this season, having just accounted for ladder leaders Kalangadoo.
The Murphies have only lost one game this season, while also recording a draw in round 2 against Robe.
This week they will host Nangwarry, who are still looking for their first win of the season.
Nangwarry is coming off a sizeable loss to Tantanoola last week.
The young Saints side has struggled to put up a fight against the majority of sides this year. However, their determination and enthusiasm on court cannot be faulted.
While it might be tempting for Glencoe to rest some players this week, there is also every reason to go hard and secure a percentage boosting win and challenge the Pies for top spot on the ladder.
Tantanoola v Port MacDonnell
Third placed Tantanoola will host sixth spot Port Mac this round, in what is set to be a great battle.
The Tigers had an easy win over Nangwarry last weekend, while Port Mac had a five goal victory over Robe.
On paper Tant should easily account for the Bay, but Port Mac proved last week that ladder position is no obstacle for their talented side.
Both sides have exceptional shooting combinations and fast mid courts, and this week it will be up to the defenders to try to shut down supply.
Whichever team can do that will take the win, which is set to be close.
Hatherleigh has the bye.
