Rockbank didn’t come away with the four points, but the Rams were more than happy with how they played against Rupertswood in the Riddell District Netball League.
The Rams have set a goal of playing finals this season and have focused on reducing the gap between them and the top sides.
And on Saturday, they pushed Rupertswood all the way. The Sharks got away late to win 41-32.
Rams coach Lizzy Masterson said the match showed how far they had come.
“We played really well and we really took it to them,” she said.
“Both teams were making errors for the pressure of the game, with the players right on each others’ shoulders all day.
“Last season we took it up to them but we couldn’t score.
“We felt like this match was a win.”
Rebecca Hicks shot 27 goals from 30 attempts, while wing attack Ciara Elliot was named the side’s best.
Masterson said things were starting to settle down and she hoped that reflected on the court.
She said the starting seven they envisaged in the pre-season had not been able to get on the court because of injuries.
Mary Brodie played her first game since round one but lasted only a couple of minutes on court.
Defender Jessica Herron also returned but also only lasted a couple of minutes before going off injured.
Masterson said with players returning, everyone was jostling for starting positions and they were starting to get the on court connections right, especially in attack.
She said the shooting combination was starting to work out.
“Rianne [Vining] has had different shooting partners the last three years.
“It’s taken a while to settle. We’ve been working on things at training.”
Masterson said they would take confidence from the weekend’s result into the next couple of rounds.
“We will learn from that and we want to win the next two games,” she said. “I don’t see any reason why we can’t. We’ve got a good draw this season and we’ll be trying to make finals.
“We will be pleased if we can do that.”
In other results, Macedon smashed Broadford 69-26, Romsey snuck home against Riddell 48-47, Wallan hung on against Melton Centrals 40-37 and Diggers Rest returned to the winners’ list against Woodend-Hesket with a 59-34 victory.
