The Sunbury Lions got the test they needed along with the result they wanted in a hard fought qualifying win in the Ballarat Netball League.
The Lions started their finals campaign on Saturday against rival Darley, a rematch of last season’s grand final.
The Devils are the only team to beat the Lions this season.
There were no more than three goals between the sides at any of the breaks, with the Lions leading narrowly on each occasion.
In a tough battle, the Lions got over the line 53-50 and give themselves two chances to make it through to a second straight grand final.
Lions coach Kim Bailey said it was a really good test for them.
“It was a pretty hard fought win,” she said. “They [Darley] played exceptionally well and it was a tough contest.
“They did their homework and shut down the feed into the goalers.
“It was nice to get the win.”
While there had been rain around on Saturday, Bailey said conditions were good to play in all day.
Bailey said they managed to get on a few runs throughout the game, but the Devils always had the answers and made them work.
“They made us go lateral into the ring,” she said. “We got it out to eight goals in the last quarter and they pegged it back.
“Elly Randall got an intercept and got it back out to three. Once Elly took that it changed the momentum with a couple of minutes to go.
“In finals it doesn’t matter how you win it.”
Rebecca Hicks shot 30 goals for the Lions, while Caitlin Hill shot 23 goals.
Bailey said the match was the sort of game they needed, where they were pushed for the whole four quarters.
The win put the Lions in the prime spot for a spot in a second straight grand final.
With third-placed Redan losing to Lake Wendouree by one goal, it opened up the finals.
The Lions face North Ballarat for a spot in the grand final, with a second chance up their sleeves.
North Ballarat had a big win against Bacchus Marsh to keep alive Annie McCartin’s coaching career for at least another two weeks.
It was a good weekend for the Lions’ netball sides.
The B-grade, C-grade, D-grade and E-grade sides all won through to semi finals with grand final spots on the line.
The under-19s won its elimination final on Sunday to win through to the semi finals as well.
