Woodend-Hesket held off a fast-finishing Melton Centrals to get a third win for the Riddell District Netball League season.
After a tough few weeks with players away and a season-ending injury to Sarah Duff, the Hawks showed what they could do on Saturday.
They dominated the first three quarters to go into the last with an 11-goal lead.
Centrals responded, but it was too little, too late with the Hawks winning 42-38.
Hawks’ coach Wendy Roberts was thrilled with the win.
“It’s been an interesting couple of weeks,” she said.
“Sarah Duff tore her ACL in a non-related knee injury. She was our avenue forward in wing attack.
“We’ve been able to regroup and focus on the rest of the season.”
Roberts said while they would focus on the positives of the first three quarters, they were likely to forgot about the last quarter.
“We had Brittany Bowen, Mackenzie Brown, Abbey Glassey and Tara Burnip all play in under-19s too.
“It [A-grade] was their second game for the day, so they did a lot of running.
“The last quarter you could see they were getting tired.”
While it was a disappointing last quarter, Roberts said being able to hold on for the win showed how far they had come.
“It’s about decreasing the margins. Last time we played against Centrals we lost by 15 or 16 goals. We need to decrease those margins and see what happens.
“The girls are starting to believe in what they can do. They have to not get complacent and keep doing the work.
“The girls are starting to believe in what they can do. They have to not get complacent and keep doing the work.
“They’ve got to keep working away.”
Tara Burnip shot 24 goals in her return to the side and combined nicely with Madeline Staresina.
This week Woodend-Hesket will face bottom side Broadford.
Other round were Romsey, Rupertswood, Macedon and Wallan.
