For the second straight weekend, the Scorpions lost to a team ranked below them on the ladder, falling to the visiting Border Raiders at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve.

The 3-2 loss followed a shock defeat at Swan Hill the previous weekend.

The Border Raiders led 2-0 at half time following goals to Asha Davies and Brittany Sands.

Tricia Sambrooks made it 2-1 with a goal to Epsom early in the second half, before Courtney Ladgrove made it 3-1 with a score in the 55th minute.

An own goal from Sands in the 68th minute put the Scorpions within one goal of the Border Raiders, but it was as close as they would get, with the visitors steadying to record one of their biggest wins in recent memory.

Border Raiders coach Darryl Brown singled out midfielders Sands and Ladgrove and defenders Thany Williams  and Natalie Sands for praise.

“Brittany works tirelessly every single game – for a midfielder to score as many goals as she does shows how good a player she is,” he said.

“But all the girls on Sunday stood up.

“Admittedly, I spoke to their coach Wayne Robinson after the game and I said, ‘if that had have went another five minutes, I reckon you had us.’

“By about half way through the second half, we started to tire significantly. Epsom came up with a game plan after half time to win it and to their credit they didn’t stop pressing .”

Brown said the Border Raiders had been fortunate to come up against a Scorpions team missing Paige Gordon and praised the efforts up-front of Caitlin Robertson.

“Had Paige Gordon been in that Epsom side, it would have been a very different story,” he said.

Meanwhile, Eaglehawk and Shepparton United remain locked in an intriguing battle at the top of the ladder following big wins on the weekend.

Eaglehawk defeated Tatura 8-1 at Truscott Reserve, while at McEwen Reserve, Shepparton United beat Spring Gully United 8-0.

Charlotte Edlin was the star for the Hawks, slotting three goals against the Ibises, including a pair in the second half.

Rosie Neylon found the back of the net twice, while Brianna Hamblin, Chloe Parker and Emily Pengelly all contributed singles.

A hat-trick to Tara Ambrosini helped Shepparton United to a big win over the Reds.

Sarah Loverso and Sophie Papalia continued their fine seasons with each scoring a double, while Caitlin Georgiou added one in the Shepparton side’s sixth win this season.

Colts United was the weekend’s big mover, rising to fourth following a win against Shepparton South.

A goal in the 43rd minute to Michelle Robinson tied the scores at 1-1 after South had taken an early lead.

Colts United went ahead in the 66th minute following a goal to Bethany McDonald and was able to maintain composure to score an impressive win.

A tight United defence was able to limit opportunities to South star Alicia Rowan and restrict the sharpshooter to just one goal.

Swan Hill defeated Golden City 2-1.

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