Romsey’s netballers held sway for much of their clash with Wallan on Saturday, but were left empty handed at the end of it.
With both sides sitting in the top six of the Riddell District Football Netball League, it was a match of high quality in which neither side was able to break away to establish a decisive advantage.
In the end Wallan did just enough in the final quarter to take a 40-39 victory and Romsey coach Luke Marko Rawlings was pleased to see his side match it with a fellow finals’ aspirant.
“It was a very hard-fought match in terms of the physicality, and both teams found it hard to break away,” Marko Rawlings said.
“They’re obviously in the top four, we’re just outside that, but I definitely see us as a top-four team and I said that to the girls before the game.
“Our placing on the ladder doesn’t reflect our skill level, I think we’re better than fifth but we’re still yet to prove it. But it was a good game.”
In a match that was tight from the start, it was Wallan who held sway by a goal at quarter time before a dominant second quarter from Romsey saw them take a two-goal lead into the long break.
Chelsea Ross used the ball well around the court and in attack to set up plenty of scoring opportunities for Romsey, while the defensive work of Monique Clark and Stefanie Symes had a big say in Romsey’s lead.
By the final change the scores were level and in a final quarter that ebbed and flowed it was Wallan who just ended in front at full time.
A late shot by Romsey that would have tied the scores failed to drop, leaving Marko Rawlings scratching his head about how they let the game slip.
“This is the second week in a row that we’ve had a lead at half time and lost it,” he said.
“We haven’t thrown it away exactly, but teams have been able to come back at us which is disappointing.
“I’m still trying to figure it out and find the what the issue is and as soon as I can put my finger on it I’ll be able to let everyone know.”
The loss leaves Romsey just two points clear inside the top six ahead of this week’s clash with winless Broadford.
In other games, Macedon remain on top after their dominant 75-18 win over Woodend Heskett, while Diggers Rest fell just short of Melton Centrals, 34-33, to sit just percentage inside the top six.
Ewen McRae
