By Tara Murray
Darley has shown the Ballarat Netball League premiership is not a one horse race as it knocked off the Sunbury Lions on Saturday.
The Devils were able to shut down the Lions attacking end to inflict the Lions first loss of the season, 58-47.
Devils coach Shannon Blackman said they were really pleased with that performance.
“I know they were missing a few but I thought we did well in shutting down Becca [Rebecca Hicks],” she said.
“She only had 33 goals, which was her lowest score of the season. We knew they were really good at the shooter to shooter passes and we were able to shut that down and did quite well on the body.”
Blackman was full of praise for defenders Matilda Elliot and Anna Lawley, saying that their partnership was something that they’d worked on over the past two years.
“They work together well and it has grown.”
An ankle injury to Elliot in the half way through the third quarter saw the injection of young Chelsea Mason into defence.
Blackman said Mason did a really good job as well.
She said this year they’d been able to give some of their younger players some more time on court.
“It’s great to see their development and the girls have been good.”
At the other end of the court on Saturday, Olivia Cawthray scored 48 goals to be the highest scorer on the court.
The Devils, who have played in the last three grand finals, sit in second spot, now only two points behind the Lions.
Blackman said they were happy with that having kept their court group together again.
“We’re happy to be in that position,” she said. “We lost to Sunbury in round two and we’re not worried about that as we had most of the team out.”
It was a good day on Saturday for the Devils, who took five wins from the six netball games.
Blackman, who was appointed to the coaching role late in the piece this season, recently re-signed for another year.
She said while it had been a lot of work with also playing in the Victorian Netball League, it had been really good for her development.
The Devils this Saturday face Melton.
The Bloods enter the match off a loss to Lake Wendouree, 60-44.
Shelby Holter shot 30 goals for the Bloods.
Elsewhere, Bacchus Marsh got a one goal win against Redan.
The Cobras came from eight goals down at three quarter time to win, 38-37.
It’s the second one goal win for the Cobras against Redan this season, with the first one originally a draw before being changed mid week.
The Cobras sit in sixth spot.
In the footy, Darley came hold strongly to beat the Sunbury Lions, 11.12 (78)-11.4 (70).
Bacchus Marsh had a 23 point win against Redan, while Melton had no issues against Lake Wendouree, winning by 96 points.
Ryan David was named the Bloods best.
