Tara Murray
Romsey got a much needed win and moved in the Riddell District Netball League top five in the process on Saturday.
The Redbacks have struggled in the first half of the season, but were able to come away with a convincing win against Diggers Rest.
The Burras led by five goals at quarter time, but the Redbacks started to click in the second quarter to lead by three goals at half time.
After half time, the Redbacks were able to run away with it, winning 64-48.
Redbacks coach Lena Way was relieved to come away with a win like that.
“We were definitely due for one,” she said. “I think we were able to hit our stride in the second half and were able to come away with it in the last quarter.
“We were able to get a little more depth in attack and were able to hit the circle edge. We were able to bring on a couple of our younger players and they stepped up and had a good game.”
Hope Hamilton shot 35 goals for the Redbacks and was named their best.
Way said the way that Hamilton keeps stepping up and playing in A-grade is a credit to her.
Hamilton has had to play more A-grade than planned with big off season signing Shimona Jok, now with Suncorp Super Netball side, the Mavericks.
“She’s an absolute stalwart of the club,” Way said about Hamilton. “To play the standard she is playing after so many years, is a credit to her and the work she’s been doing.
At the other end of the scale, Way said it was exciting to have so many young players among the team.
“Charli [Bellette] is 15, Emily [Miles] is 17 and Josie [Lepore] is 16,” she said.
“The young ones are stepping up and that’s definitely the aim for the girls to come through juniors, through under-19s and hopefully into the senior grades.
“We want to have a competitive A-grade side so the younger girls have something to aspire to and want to keep playing.”
The win was the Redbacks third and moved them to fifth on the ladder. Just one game separates them and bottom side Lancefield.
Way said they all know how close the competition is this year with the side being in all but one game, with some close losses to some of the top teams.
“We play Kyneton this week at home and we played well against them and got a good win against them last time.
“We’ve had an unfortunate first half of the season and the same thing happened last year. The later half of the season was better for us and clawed our way back up the ladder.”
In other results, Wallan beat Kyneton, Macedon snuck home against Melton Centrals and Riddell beat Lancefield.
