Tara Murray
Melton Centrals’ young guns kept their Riddell District Netball League season alive with a hard fought win against Macedon on Sunday.
In tough conditions at Diggers Rest Recreation with plenty of wind, the Centrals were able to lead at every break in the 41-34 win.
Centrals coach Randy Pereira said it was really windy conditions which made it hard to score.
“It was a terrific game,” he said. “We were a bit worried when our goal shooter turned up without her runners.
“She wore her sister’s runners and she borrowed a pair from someone else. It was a good game, it was a tough game.
“There were a lot of heavy hits. The umpires warned both teams at half time to be a bit more careful.”
It was a four goal margin at quarter time before increasing to seven at half time.
The Cats hopes weren’t helped when playing coach Katie Clarke fractured her wrist after a heavy collision early in the game.
Centrals were able to maintain the lead in the second half, with not much between the two teams.
Helen Aumua shot 31 goals for Centrals. She was named Centrals’ best along with Aavana Hobson and Hayley Hill.
Pereira said Elisa Butterworth-Gonebale and Mariah Vankerkvoort in the mid court also did really good jobs.
“I was really impressed with everyone,” he said. “Everyone that came on did their job.
“There wasn’t one player that didn’t contribute. The defence was brilliant, Avana was sensational and Hayley was right in there with her.
“The wing defences also did their job. It was a real team effort.”
Pereira said at the start of the season making finals was a minimum for what they wanted to achieve this season. It’s the first time the club has made A-grade finals since 2017 when they made a preliminary final.
“Whilst they’re young, they’ve got the ability,” he said. “They’ve been really good.
“Our kryptonite between now and the end of the year will be if it rains, we will be in trouble. We tend to still try to play dry weather netball and look for cross court passes.”
Centrals will face Riddell in a knockout semi final on Sunday at Gilbert Gordon Reserve, Woodend.
The Bombers lost the qualifying final to Wallan on Saturday, 32-29.
Last time they played, Centrals were in front before they lost a couple of players and the rain started to fall and the Bombers ran away with a solid win.
Pereira said he thinks it should be a good game.
“Hopefully they bring the same intensity as today [Sunday],” he said.
Wallan will face Woodend-Hesket in the other final for a spot in the grand final. The Hawks had the week off this weekend.
Centrals under-19 netballers also won their elimination final on Sunday, beating Woodend-Hesket, 36-15.
Centrals now face Romsey in a knockout semi final.
