A blistering second half propelled Melton Centrals to a 17-goal win against Diggers Rest in Saturday’s Riddell District Netball League elimination final.
After a tough first half in which neither team was able to break away, Melton clicked into gear soon after half-time.
Centrals scored 30 second-half goals and conceded 16 on their way to securing the 53-36 win.
PICTURE GALLERY: Melton Centrals v Diggers Rest
Melton coach Randy Pereira was rapt with his team’s second-half heroics.
“They scored the first two goals in the third quarter and then needed to call an injury time,” he said of his charges.
“From there it pretty much just changed. The girls all of a sudden started to play our game of fast netball. We caught them off guard.
“I didn’t think their defence would be as strong as our defence so we needed our attackers to do the job, which they did.”
The Burras beat Melton on their home court the previous time the two sides met, making the Centrals’ elimination final win all the sweeter.
Pereira said it was good to get one back.
“Diggers beat us two weeks ago on our home ground so I’m very happy with the improved performance,” he said.
“I said to our mid-court that they would need to put some pressure on and help us defend.
“The girls did that really well. We still didn’t have our best team in, but I was happy.”
Melton was again led by the outstanding goal combination of Renee Hulls and Rebecca Morabito.
The pair converted at a combined strike rate of 92 per cent from their 58 attempts on goal.
Centrals turn their attention to this week’s semi-final against Riddell.
“Riddell has pulled our pants down the last two times we have played them,” Pereira said.
“They have been close games up until three-quarter time and then they’ve smashed us in the last quarter.
“They have got some very good players. It should be a good contest.”
Meanwhile, Diggers Rest is looking at the positives of its season.
The young Burras side fought hard to get into finals and struggled with early nerves, according to coach Mel Lofts.
“I’m rapt we made it this far but disappointed with the result,” she said.
“There were some nerves, which caused turnovers … some of the girls have never played finals.
“We came good at the end of the second half and the first bit of the third quarter, but then they got the margin back out.”
