Bacchus Marsh has shown some positive signs in the first two rounds of the Ballarat Netball League season.
The Cobras, who finished second bottom last year, started this season with a come-from-behind win against arch rival Darley.
On Saturday, it was a tougher day for the Cobras against one of the early premiership favourites Sunbury Lions, but they kept up the fight.
The Lions had the better of the Cobras all day, but the Cobras didn’t give up with the final score 53-25.
Speaking before Saturday’s game against the Lions, new coach Michael Saker said getting an early season win would give the new-look team confidence.
“It’s the first time they’ve won the Anzac Day shield [against Darley] in about 10 years,” he said.
“Right now we’re trying to get to know each other.
“In the practice matches we didn’t get any wins. It was about playing as a team.
“We’re a very different looking side than last season.”
He said they had a mixture of players from last season, players returning to the club and a few new players.
He said they planned to bring young players through the grades.
Among the new players are midcourter Megg Collins and shooter Madeline Hodgson who have both stepped into the A-grade starting line-up.
Collins comes across from fellow BNL side Redan and was best for the Cobras against the Sunbury Lions.
Hodgson, who has played for the Victorian indoor netball team with Saker, was awarded the best-on-court medal in round one against Darley.
She’s spent the past two seasons with Geelong District Football League powerhouse Werribee Centrals.
Saker said the key for the Cobras this season was to play consistent netball across whole games.
The Cobras’ next match is on April 20, with a bye this weekend and then interleague.
“I haven’t gone out and looked at other teams so I don’t know where we sit compared to them,” he said.
“For me it’s just about growth and development.
“It’s hard to predict we’ll play finals when we finished second bottom last year.
“We’ve set small achievable goals. We need to be competitive for four quarters and stay with teams, then we are every chance to get more wins.”
In other matches, Darley was too strong for Melton. After an even first quarter, the Devils kept the Bloods to just 11 goals for the rest of the game on the way to a 43-20 win.
The Bloods struggled in the shooting circle, with the three shooters shooting at 50 per cent or less accuracy.
In comparison Devils’ playing coach Renee Hulls shot 25 goals from 28 attempts.
Devils defender Amanda Wilson was best on court.
Melton South had the bye.
