Romsey held its nerve until the very end to win a second straight thriller in the Riddell District Netball League.
After beating Lancefield by one goal in the final round, the Redbacks needed extra time to get past Melton Centrals in an elimination final on Saturday.
The Centrals had started the better of the two sides and held a seven-goal lead early on, to still be in front by four goals at the final change.
Scoring the first six goals of the last quarter, the Redbacks hit the front before Centrals hit back, with scores level at the final siren.
Both periods of extra time were similar to the final quarter, the Redbacks started well, then Centrals hit back.
With one goal up and less than a minute to go in the second extra-time period, the Redbacks made sure Centrals didn’t score, so sealing their win 55-54.
Redbacks’ coach Lena Way said players had the confidence in each other to win such close games.
“It’s about peaking at the right time,” she said. “We beat Lancefield by one goal last week, and now won by one goal in overtime this week.
“We’re coming together at the right time. Everyone has combined, and it’s really positive on the court.”
Hope Evans was key in the goal circle, shooting 43 goals, while Chelsea Ross scored eight.
Way said at the start of the season they would have let games like the past two get away from them, and it shows how far the team had come.
She said the late inclusions of Danielle Davidson and Bronwyn Blair had been a big part of that. Davidson was best on court on Saturday, while Blair started well before hurting her ankle.
Way said Blair would be a wait-and-see prospect for the semi-final, with her ankle still not looking good the day after the game.
“She’s a tough little cookie, who has played through injuries before, and she’ll want to play.”
Way said another key aspect for the side is its experience in finals, with players who know how to handle the pressure.
Davidson, Blair and Hope Evans were part of the Redbacks’ last premiership in 2013.
“The team is very experienced in age, and many have played at an elite level,” Way said.
“We have six girls over the age of 30. Sport is a funny thing and you have to peak at the right time.
“A lot feel the pressure, but we seem to embrace the pressure and seem to improve.”
The Redbacks will play Macedon in a do-or-die semi final on Sunday.
