By Tara Murray
Tactics were thrown out the window on Sunday, as the Sunbury Lions played for a preliminary final berth in the Ballarat Netball League.
With rain pelting at Ballarat, it was going to be a matter of who handled the conditions better, the Lions or Lake Wendouree.
The Lions opened up a third quarter lead, and held it for the remainder of the game, winning 40-36.
Lions coach Adam Boldiston said it was a relief to come away with the win.
“It was really difficult conditions,” he said.
“I was really wet and windy. It was so hard, that it was blowing the ball back over heads.
“It would have been hard to see out there.”
Boldiston was full of praise for all five goalers, from across both teams, for shooting at such a high accuracy despite the conditions.
The Lions trailed by a goal at half-time and made a couple of changes, including bringing Shelby Holter on at goal attack.
The changes worked well, with the Lions able to keep their composure in the second half when needed.
Boldiston said Amanda Cusack, who missed last week, was the standout on court.
“Amanda was rock solid,” he said. “She had a really strong game and gave both Shelby and Ruth [Smith] confidence to put up shots.
“Ash Hardy was the other key, pulling in some key rebounds and intercepts when really needed.”
Boldiston said the weather stopped teams from showing what they can really do.
“It was a really hard grind and we played in the worst conditions and managed to get the win.”
The Lions will face North Ballarat City in the preliminary final. North Ballarat lost its semi-final to East Point, 41-39.
The Lions and North Ballarat City played in the first week of finals, which North Ballarat City won.
“We are really looking forward to it,” Boldiston said. “We know it will be a tough game and we know we have to bring our A-grade game.
“We haven’t done that for four quarters yet and we’re yet to show our full hand.”
East Point awaits the winner in the grand final.
The Lions B-grade side lost and was knocked out of the finals, while C-grade and under-19s are also through to preliminary finals.
The Sunbury Lions reserves footballers are through to the grand final, while the under-19s will play in a preliminary final.
