‘Intense’ contest

ST Joseph’s coach Riley Richardson believes his team gained two points rather than lost two in Saturday’s thrilling draw with Lara.

The ball was inside the Joeys’ goal circle when the final whistle went with the scores locked at 42-all.

The Cats had controlled the game for longer periods than St Joseph’s, but both sides showed tremendous grit in the dying moments of the match.

Richardson said he was happy to split the points, even though St Joseph’s had some chances to win the game.

“Lara had the edge on us for most of the game. But we were right in it for the last three or four minutes,” Richardson said. “Based on our form in the match we will take it as two points gained. We were trailing for much of the match so it was a credit to the girls to get it back. But we want to be in a position where we are leading games from the start and not having to catch up.”

Lara coach Jo Chambers described the final minutes as “pretty intense”, with Joeys star Tori Honner making a crucial intercept to give her side one final chance of scoring.

But the St Joseph’s shooters could not get the shot up in time as Lara’s defence held firm under pressure.

“I think we both walk away thinking we could have won it. We both had opportunities, but I was pretty happy with the girls,” Chambers said.

“In other years when they have been up and the tide has turned, they probably would have let the game go away from them. K. Evans 35, J.D. O’Connor 4, C. Lino 3. K. Keepen 22, S. Devine 11, G. Clark 9. K. Evans, G.E. Stavenuiter, V. Abela. V. Honner, E.J. Post.

“To fight back each time when the score line changed is a real credit to them.

“Obviously you want to win, but a draw is better than a loss.”