Diggers Rest’s season is over, but it wasn’t without a fight in the Riddell District Netball League.
After sneaking into finals in the final round, the task didn’t get any easier for the Burras, facing Rupertswood which had spent most of the year on top of the ladder.
The Burras’ hopes weren’t helped with captain Steph Barnes missing the game after breaking her arm against Sunbury Kangaroos, while Meredith Ball was unavailable.
Still, they pushed the Sharks and for three quarters the margin was about three to four goals.
It blew out in the final term with the Sharks winning 50-40.
Burras’ playing coach Amy Carroll said she was proud of how her side had taken it up to their opponent.
“We played quite well and pushed them to be within a goal in the second quarter; it only blew out late.
“I’m really proud of them. It’s the first year most of them have played together as a team. The top three sides are a bit ahead of everyone else yet we could have potentially knocked them off if we had believed in ourselves. It’s good building for next year.”
Carroll was the leading goalscorer on court, shooting 25, while her goaling partner Shelby Strong (15 goals), was named the side’s best player.
Carroll praised Strong, who has moved between goal and wing attack for much of the season’s second half. “Shelby stepped up as goal shooter, giving us options and a bit of depth.”
Kristy Blackmore and Jena Baboth were other standouts for the Burras.
Carroll said it had been a season that would help set them up for the next one.
Only two of the players from Saturday’s match were part of last season’s outfit.
Carroll said they had been happy with how the season panned out, despite outsiders believing they would be the big improver. “It was a bit unfair to expect that of us. The girls are all good players, but those in the Victorian Netball League have a bit more strength and experience than our team this year.”
It was a mixed weekend for the Burras netballers, the B-grade team beating Lancefield, while the C-graders lost to Macedon. The B-grade side plays Macedon in a semi-final on Sunday.
