Gisborne was close but not close enough as its Bendigo Netball League season came to an end on Saturday.
The Bulldogs needed to beat Sandhurst for the first time this season in the preliminary final if it was to keep its three-peat hopes alive.
For three quarters, there was nothing between the sides.
The Dragons found another level in the final quarter to run away with a 44-39 win.
Bulldogs coach Tarryn Rymer said they had done a lot right, but just hadn’t been able to come away with the win.
“They had a little momentum swing,” she said. “We ran out of legs.
“I’m really proud of the girls and their effort. They executed the game plan almost to perfection.
“There were a couple of small errors in the final quarter and Sandhurst capitalised.
“They are a quality team that has played together for a long time.”
Rymer said this season was one of learning as they gave a number of younger girls an opportunity.
She said they had spent a lot of time developing their younger players.
“We had some injuries and some other obstacles that didn’t go our way but we pulled together and developed our own,” she said.
“It’s something to be really proud of. We had not just an A-grade side, but a whole A squad and some of those from A-reserve have stepped up to the next level.”
The Bulldogs still have their B-grade and B-reserves in grand finals this Saturday.
Rymer said both sides had played well this season with the B-grade team looking to go back-to-back.
Rymer said they had re-signed most of their A-grade side for next season in a big boost for the club.
She said it had been tricky with the club not knowing what competition it would play in next season.
