Tara Murray
Tactics went out the window as the weather ruled the roost in the Sunbury Lions qualifying final against North Ballarat in the Ballarat Netball League on Saturday.
The two top teams did battle on Saturday in what was expected to be a strong match, but the wind had other ideas.
Scoring was hard to come by, with at times the ball coming back over the goalers head when they put shots up.
There was nothing between the two teams all day, with the Lions sneaking home 46-45.
Lions coach Kim Bailey said it was an interesting game of netball.
“The skill was sort of taken right out of the game because of the weather for both teams,” she said.
“It was just a slog and it was whoever had their noses in front at the end to be honest. It was hard for goalers, but North’s goalers shot exceptionally well.
“It was just a hard game. It was good to get the win, but it wasn’t how we wanted to play.”
Bailey said North Ballarat was in front for most of the first half before they were able to crawl their way back into the game.
She said they spent most of the last quarter in front, but couldn’t break their opposition.
“We couldn’t get our running game going because it was so windy, that is what happens when you play outside,” she said. “The most we got out to was four goals and they kept clawing back.
“Shannon Freeman was outstanding for them, she would have picked off 10 balls from us.
“Any win is a win and we’re happy to get away with it.”
Rebecca Hicks shot 26 goals for the Lions, while Tara O’Grady and Lani Faunuku rotated through the circle as well both playing well.
Bailey said they didn’t really have any standouts. She said the move of Sarah Croft into centre in the last quarter paid off with her taking the winning intercept.
“It was one of those games where you couldn’t put your finger on who played well and who didn’t,” Bailey said.
“There was no skill in the game.”
The win is this group’s first finals win having come together last season.
The Lions are guaranteed to go at least two rounds further than last season when they were knocked out in a semi final.
They now have two shots at making the grand final.
“It would be nice to get that win and go straight into the granny,” Bailey said.
The Lions face Darley in a semi final this Saturday.
“Darley are a quality side,” Bailey said. “We’ll go to training on Thursday night and come up with a game plan and go from there.”
The Lions B-grade side also won through to a semi final with a shot at a grand final this week.
The Lions D and E grade sides both won elimination finals on Sunday to keep their seasons alive.
