Romsey ground out a fighting win over Diggers Rest in Riddell District Netball League action on Saturday to strengthen its hold on a finals place.
Although a number of its players were missing through injury or playing injured, Romsey was outstanding in the early stages to open up a strong lead before withstanding a home side fightback to come away with a 47-43 win.
The visitors shot out to an early lead via the new forward combination of Hope Evans and Chelsea Ross, their accuracy in front of the net rewarding the strong lead-up play further up-court.
Romsey led by five points at quarter- time and nine at half-time.
But Diggers Rest wouldn’t lie down and the home side roared back in the third quarter to tie the game at the final change.
Romsey’s resilience again came to the fore when it mattered most, with Evans netting nine goals in the final term to clinch the win.
Romsey coach Lena Way reflected on her players’ resolve not to drop the game when Diggers Rest pushed them in the second half.
“I was really happy with the first half but not happy we let them back into it in the third quarter,” she said.
“But it was good to bounce back in the end. We always start well, and I think now we’re starting to finish well.”
While Way was playing her cards close to her chest on who in her side was playing injured, she said it had been a difficult game for some players.
“Given we were playing with injuries from the start it was a good win. We had to nurse a few players through, but they were so courageous.
“It was so important to get that win and I think it will really bolster us as we look towards finals.”
Romsey will be further helped by the availability for the rest of the season of star playmaker Danielle Davidson, who set up a number of crucial plays on Saturday.
