HORSHAM Saints edged out Ararat in a nailbiting A grade Wimmera Netball Association contest at Alexandra Oval on Saturday.
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Saints led by three goals at the main break, before the Rats fought back to reduce the margin to just one at three quarter time. The teams went goal-for-goal in the final term, with the Saints scoring in the final minute and they clung on to record a 35-34 victory.
Horsham Saints’ coach Kylie Breuer was pleased with her side’s effort.
“The girls played quite well for most of the game. There were a few lapses and Ararat got in front with a couple of minutes to go,” Breuer said.
“It was exciting. Luckily we got a turnover in the final minute and managed to hold the lead.”
Breuer outlined the positives from Saturday’s last gasp victory.
“It was good to see the girls could stay focused as a team, especially when the pressure was turned on.
“We still made silly unforced errors in the first and second quarters, but we seemed to be able to hold on and get the job done.”
Megan O’Connor received Saints’ best on court for her attacking performance.
“Megan is a generally a mid-court player and wing attack, but she has been dabbling in goal attack,” Breuer said.
“She managed to come onto the court and open up the goal ring for us.”
Defender Jess Cannane also earned praise from the Horsham Saints’ coach. One of the Saints’ more mature players, Cannane provided a steady head when the ball was in dispute down her end of the court.
Breuer also praised Ararat, who did push the Saints in their round five encounter.
“They are very fast, young side and you’ve got to give some credit to the girls who have stepped down and are teaching the younger ones, particularly in B grade,” Breuer said.
“You’ve got Megan Shea and Jodie Hendy playing B grade and they’re teaching the girls so much on the court.
“If the Rats continue to have that coaching and are able to rebuild, they will be a force in the future.”
Ararat caretaker coach, Rebecca Skrabl, said the Saints picked up their momentum in the final term.
“We struggled to get the ball out of defence,” she said.
“But it was definitely nice to push them and put them in a pressure situation.”
First year senior goalie, Maddi Batchelor fired 24 of the Rats’ 34 goals and was named their top player for the match.
“Maddi really stepped up, which was good to see,” Skrabl said.
Jess Williamson was again solid in wing attack, providing plenty of drive in the wing.
There have been a few changes to the Rats’ squad in 2016, and Skrabl said every game so far has been a step forward.
“We’re getting there,” she said.
“We’ll be expecting big things in the second half of the season.”