FOR the second week in a row Kalkee has fallen just short of victory, going down to Harrow-Balmoral in an A Grade thriller on Saturday.
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Playing at home, Kalkee went into the clash level on points with Harrow-Balmoral.
It was clear from the start the game was going to be close. The Kees and Southern Roos traded goals with neither side able to build a substantial lead.
Harrow-Balmoral turned a two-goal deficit at half-time into a two-goal advantage heading into the final term.
With extra sideline support from the Southern Roos senior football side, Harrow-Balmoral gained momentum in the second half of the last quarter in a game that had a finals-like atmosphere.
Southern Roos coach Amy Lewis held her nerve in the final quarter, shooting eight goals from 10 attempts to lead her side to a tense but vital 44-38 victory.
The win lifts the side into third place, level with Swifts and Edenhope-Apsley on 36 points. Kalkee holds onto sixth spot, one game ahead of Noradajuha-Quantong.
Lewis said it took her side some time to adjust to Kalkee’s fast ball movement.
“They are a very fast team, with their bodies and their ball movement, and it took us a little while to work out the game,” she said.
“It was a really hard-fought game and I think defensively towards the end we created a lot of opportunities for ourselves.
“We are starting to run out games better and slowly finding our groove. Every girl on the court is capable of being a match-winner, so it’s nice to see everyone lift when we do have a close game like that.
Kalkee coach Jaymi O’Connor said it was another tough loss after losing to the Saints by one goal a week before.
“It was an unreal game and unfortunately we were again on the wrong side of it,” she said.
“I think we played really well and I don’t think we handed them the game, they definitely took it from us. They really lifted in the second half and Ebonie Salter killed it for them. Her direction on the court was so invaluable for them.
“We know we can match it with them and beat them and hopefully we get another chance at that in finals.
“Our defenders Clair McDonald and Coco Ledgar played fantastic and I think they beat their opponents. We just couldn’t capitalise on enough of their turnovers.”
Elsewhere, Rupanyup defied its ladder position to test the finals-bound Swifts, but just fell short losing by five goals.
Scores were even at half-time before the Swifts capitalised on Kalkee’s loss, claiming a 51-46 victory.
Natimuk United defeated Edenhope-Apsley 43-28, Laharum made light work of Jeparit Rainbow winning 73-23 and Noradjuha-Quantong beat Pimpinio 49-37.
