Kalkee officially secured a finals place in the Horsham District netball league on Saturday, with a commanding victory against Jeparit-Rainbow.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Kees burst out of the blocks, adapting to the cold and blustery conditions better than their opponents and taking a 5-12 lead by quarter time.
Despite brief pushes from the Storm, they were never able to bridge the gap from there, with Kalkee's class and experience shining through in tricky conditions.
As the wind howled and altered shots, Jeparit-Rainbow's goalies at times found it difficult to convert their opportunities. But Kalkee's reliable pair of Jenna Bywaters and Hayley Thomas were able to weather the storm and find the target, with Bywaters' 42 goals particularly impressive.
The 29-57 win officially secured Kalkee a finals berth and consolidated the season's top-six.
Meanwhile in Stawell, in what might have been a preview of an elimination final, Harrow-Balmoral were tested but proved to be too strong for Swifts.
The cold, wet, windy and almost snow-like conditions in Stawell did not let up for the whole A Grade game, making for some difficult netball.
The Baggies started off slow, but managed to claw themselves back into the contest late in the first quarter.
However, a well-drilled Southern Roos took advantage of the sleeping Baggies at the start of the second term, extending the lead to four at half time.
Swifts coach Courtney Morrow said the slow starts to each quarter will be something she will have to address ahead of their finals campaign.
"It's cold out there, bitterly cold but it doesn't excuse the slow starts," she said.
"I don't know if it was because of the cold or we weren't just switched on.
"It was probably a combination. It's what cost us the game."
The Baggies again struggled after the half time break, as the deficit was extended to nine by three-quarter time.
While Swifts maintained respectability in the last quarter, the match was never in doubt, as Harrow-Balmoral claimed victory 41-48.
"We need to adapt to any weather conditions - so the rain and the cold isn't an excuse," Morrow said.
"Looking at the game from a positive point of view, we improved from the start of the season.
"A seven-goal loss isn't as bad as a 20 odd point loss. A loss is a loss, though."
In other contests, Noradjuha-Quantong claimed a strong 24 goal win at home against Pimpinio, Laharum piled on 88 goals against Rupanyup, while Natimuk United held Taylors Lake to just eight goals for the match.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.