Melton Centrals have let slip an opportunity to grab their second win of the Riddell District Netball League season.
Having split their opening two matches, Centrals faced reigning premier Romsey on Saturday in a close affair – no more than two goals separated the sides at the three breaks.
The Redbacks were slightly better in the last quarter to bridge a two-goal deficit and force a 37-37 draw.
Centrals coach Randy Pereira said it was a cracking game.
“We had our chances,” he said. “When you have 12 more scoring shots you only need to hit two of those shots, you get the win, so it’s disappointing in that regard.”
Pereira said Centrals’ shooting percentage was improving every week, with new goaler Katie Hepburn settling into the side. Hepburn shot 18 goals and Rebecca Morabito shot the other 19 goals.
Hepburn was named Centrals’ best, along with defenders Rachel Dovaston and Melissa Laird.
“Katie hasn’t played for at least the last two years,” he said.
“Shooting is one part of the game where you will struggle unless you are practising. She got her eye in from the second quarter and played better.”
Pereira said that despite being unsure what to expect from his side before the start of the season, he was disappointed with the 1-1-1 start.
“We probably should be 3-0,” he said. “We’re a fairly new side and four new players and they are starting to gel.
“Coming from the unknown, we’re not overly happy with the games we should have won.”
Centrals will this week meet Riddell, with centre Jess May unavailable. Riddell will go into the Centrals game on the back of a 51-37 loss to Diggers Rest.
Kathie Dicker was best on court, shooting
28 goals for Diggers Rest.
The A-grade team was one of two Centrals sides to have draws on Saturday, with the under-19 side finishing even with the Redbacks.
The B-grade and C-grade sides had good wins.
In other A grade games, Rockbank suffered a shock loss to Woodend-Hesket. The Hawks came from behind at three-quarter time to win 54-39.
Defender Danni Jane Umaki was named the best for the Rams, with Rebecca Hicks shooting 31 goals.
