Tara Murray
A strong performance from Darley wasn’t enough to seal the first grand final spot in the Ballarat Netball League.
The Devils faced the Sunbury Lions on Saturday in a semi final with a grand final spot on the line.
Like the other two matches between the sides this season, it was a hard fought contest that went down to the wire.
The Lions were able to do just enough to win, 46-44.
Devils coach Di McCormack said while it was disappointing to lose, there were still plenty of positives out of the match.
“It was a good game,” she said. “We had moments and they had moments.
“I wasn’t unhappy with how we played. If a call goes our way or we don’t make an error there, it’s a different result.
“It was a high quality game that was worthy of a grand final.”
The Devils flew out of the blocks early and led by five goals. McCormack said the Lions were struggling to get their hands on the ball.
A couple of stepping calls against the Devils brought the margin back and from there it was an arm wrestle.
“They got out to five or six at one stage, but we never gave up,” McCormack said. “I’m not unhappy with it.
“We took their drive out of their midcourt and we did a lot of the things we had been working on.
“It was a game of moments and they were in front at the end.”
The Devils were without Ella Closter, who had surgery during the week, after a freak accident on court last week meant she had to have surgery.
McCormack said in her absence Monique Nagle really stood tall and provided good support to Olivia Cawthray.
Cawthray finished with 33 goals and Nagle with 11.
The Devils will now play in a preliminary final this Saturday against North Ballarat, which just got over Lake Wendouree in the other semi final.
McCormack said they were hoping to have Closter back for that match which would be a big boost.
It wasn’t all bad for the Devils on Saturday, with their under-19s through to a third straight grand final.
The Devils beat Melton South, 44-23.
McCormack said the two Mason sisters, Chelsea and Sarah, both had really strong games.
That side was also without Closter.
The team now has the weekend off before the grand final the following week, where its going for back-to-back premierships.
The Devils B-grade side was knocked out on Sunday, losing to Lake Wendouree, 42-28.
