It wasn’t pretty, but Rupertswood’s A-grade side has tasted success in the opening round of the Riddell District Netball League finals for the first time.
The Sharks have lost in the opening round of the finals the past two years. This year there was no second chance – the Sharks had to beat Diggers Rest to progress.
Both sides entered the game without key personnel. The Sharks were missing Kirsten Daley, Beck Anstey, Sara Febbo and Natalie Billings, while the Burras were without Stephanie Barnes and Meredith Ball.
Despite being happy with the 50-40 win, Sharks coach Di McCormack said it wasn’t one of their best performances and they had a lot to work on.
“It was a very ugly win,” she said. “Diggers Rest played really well … they had nothing to lose and really brought it to us.
“It was a game which we never looked like losing, [but] I would have liked to have played a bit better and won by more.”
Stacey Northey was the best of the goalers with 21, while Amy Starzer (16) and Alex Maher (13) also contributed.
McCormack said her young mid-court stood up, with the coach not having the luxury of a big bench as she normally does.
“Em [Ktona] was solid at wing defence and did a good job,” McCormack said.
“Sid [Moore] and Ailish [McCormack] sometimes lead to the same spot, but they fed well into the goalers, which they struggled with last week.”
Zoe Davies, who came on after quarter time, was also a standout in defence.
The Sharks will face arch rival Riddell in the semi-finals. A grand final spot awaits the winner and a preliminary final for the loser.
The Bombers defeated the Sharks by one goal in the final round of the season.
“The last two years, we’ve gone into the finals in second position and lost that first final [to Riddell],” McCormack said.
“There’s not that same pressure this year and if we lose we still have another chance. There’s a fire under the belly – to win next week and get through to a grand final.”
Riddell won through to the preliminary final with a win against Macedon. To find out more about that match, go to www.starweekly.com.au/sports.
