Big W suffers gut-wrenching loss
Wimmera netballers were dealt a cruel blow in Saturday’s interleague match against Murray Football Netball League, losing on a goal from a penalty after the final whistle.
In what had been a physical, backand-forth contest, the Wimmera team fell behind at the first break before recovering to take a two-goal lead into the last quarter.
With sharpshooter Emma Buwalda on song in goals, the young Wimmera side had every reason to be confident, but Murray would not lie down.
In the frantic final minutes the scores were tied, before an obstruction call in the goal ring just before time expired gave Murray a chance to win the game with a goal after the final whistle.
The shot went in, handing the Wimmera players a crushing 51-50 defeat after having driven nearly four hours to Shepparton.
Despite the unfavourable result, Wimmera coach Pauline Butler was proud of the way her players competed.
“It was a great crowd turnout and a great game of netball,” she said.
“It was a very physical game, which was something we weren’t expecting.
“I thought our girls responded very well to that pressure.
“The whole team played exceptionally,
adjusted well and played their positions and their roles as a team, which is what you need.
“It was really goal for goal in the last quarter and we were very unfortunate that the siren went when one of their shooters was awarded a penalty.
“It was a real shame, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.”
Butler praised the ‘exceptional’ shooting of Buwalda, who was named the Wimmera’s best player.
She also lauded the efforts of defensive tandem Jess Kelly and Georgia Hiscock.
“They had a lot of different opponents throughout the game and I thought they adjusted beautifully to that,” she said.
“They really put defensive pressure on their attacking end and took crucial intercepts to keep us in the game at certain points.”
There were mixed results in the three junior netball games played at the weekend, with the Wimmera association winning the 15 and under game 42-37 but losing the 13 and under and 17 and under games 43-29 and 40-34 respectively.
Racquel Scott was named Wimmera’s best player in the 17 and under game, Molly Orr took best player honours in 15 and under and Elizabeth Heard was judged best on court in 13 and under.
Round five
In Wimmera Netball Association action this weekend, reigning premier Horsham Saints risk dropping out of the top five if they cannot find a way to beat fourth-placed Warrack Eagles.
Dimboola or Southern Mallee Giants, who will play Horsham and Nhill respectively, could theoretically leapfrog the Saints if they lose.
Stawell will be searching for its first win when it hosts Minyip-murtoa, while Ararat has a bye.