Rams didn’t field a team last season and have so far struggled to put it all together this season.
But on Saturday that all changed when they faced Woodend-Hesket, one of two other teams without a win.
Rams coach Lizzy Masterson was confident heading into the match. Having coached most of the players elsewhere, she knew they could play a lot better than they have been.
The Rams started well and held an eight-goal lead by half-time in a low-scoring game.
The Hawks reduced the margin in the third quarter, but the Rams finished stronger for a 37-28 win.
Masterson was thrilled to see her side put together what she described as their best performance of the season.
“We have struggled this season,” she said. “We know what we can do, but haven’t been able to put it together.
“We tried a few things in the third quarter when we were in front, so we could have won by a lot more.”
Rianne Vining scored 18 goals, while Jessica Herron, who came on in the second half, shot 16. All goalers on the court shot below 70 per cent accuracy.
Masterson said the key for the side going forward would be playing consistent netball for four quarters, not in bits and pieces.
She believes the Rams have found their best combinations after trying a few different players earlier in the season.
She said Marie Bolitho, Jacinta Fuzy and Katherine Tsardakis were starting to make the mid-court their own.
Vining is starting to find the form that saw her finish fourth in the Geelong and District Football League best and fairest last season.
The Rams are eighth on the ladder, three games behind Diggers Rest.
Masterson hasn’t given up on playing finals.
“This season was about making finals, so finishing top six would be great,” she said.
The Rams’ B-grade side also got its first win of the season at the weekend, defeating the Hawks 31-22.
In other matches, it was a tough weekend for Diggers Rest and Melton Centrals.
Facing Lancefield for a second straight round, due to Broadford not having a team,
the result was equally unhappy for Diggers Rest.
The Burras trailed by eight goals at quarter-time and 15 goals at half-time. While they limited the damage in the second half, they lost 63-49.
Amy Carroll shot 27 goals for the Burras in their third straight loss.
Melton Centrals stayed within striking distance against Rupertswood, but couldn’t get close enough, losing 40-32.
Captain Jessica May was best for Centrals. The win moves Rupertswood above Centrals on the ladder.
