Lancefield is rueing a poor first quarter against Romsey that left its Riddell District Netball League finals hopes in tatters.
The Tigers needed a win in the final round to finish in sixth position and hold off Diggers Rest, but they got off to the worst possible start.
A 17-6 first quarter in favour of the Redbacks meant the Tigers had a lot of hard work ahead.
They won both the second and third quarters to reduce the margin to four goals at the last break.
Scores were level late in the final term as the sides went goal for goal.
When the final siren went, the Redbacks were in front, 48-47.
Tigers coach Alan Watson said the result summed up their season.
“It was always going to be hard after a bad first quarter,” he said.
“We didn’t play well and gave up a sizeable lead.
“I kept saying to them they had to try and win every quarter after that.
“We got level, but they ended up being in front when the siren went. If it had gone a couple more minutes I think we would have won.”
Watson said it was frustrating to get so close to the win and, ultimately, finals.
“We had our opportunities.
“We had 11 players to choose from and we kept rotating until we found the right combinations.”
After making finals last season, the Tigers looked at adding more talent to the side and brought in Victorian Netball League players.
Watson said that in hindsight they probably brought in too many players, unsettling the group.
“A lot of weeks we had four or five players out due to VNL,” he said.
“In those games we had players who didn’t know each other, let alone played with each other.
“After they had played together we were competitive. I’m sure we would have finished top four if we’d had them every week.”
Diggers Rest benefited from the Tigers’ loss, moving into sixth place with a win against Sunbury Kangaroos.
For a second week straight, it was shown how close the top three sides were, with Riddell and Rupertswood separated by just one goal.
Macedon beat Rupertswood by the same margin last week. The Cats, who beat Woodend-Hesket, move into second spot and will play Riddell this weekend in a qualifying final.
The Sharks, who have slipped from first to third in the past two weeks, will play Diggers Rest.
Romsey will play Melton Centrals in the other elimination final.
