WIMMERA MAIL-TIMES
REIGNING Horsham District Football Netball League premier Harrow-Balmoral reclaimed top spot on the ladder with an epic comeback against Laharum on Saturday.
There was plenty at stake for both teams, which were the only undefeated sides entering the game.
Laharum sat atop the ladder with a superior percentage, but it was clear not much separated the sides.
The Roos appeared down for the count after falling behind by 11 goals at three-quarter-time.
Harrow-Balmoral coach Ebonie Salter’s positional moves at the final change proved to be just what the team needed.
Janelle Knight replaced junior fill-in Bec Francis at centre, and Emily Langley took control at wing attack.
Salter said the midcourt pair was pivotal in turning the game around.
“One of our normal senior players Sarah Langley was away, so Emily and Bec Francis stepped up and did a really great job for us,” she said.
“Emily took control of wing attack in that last quarter and gave us a bit of drive through the midcourt that we’d been lacking all game.”
So frantic were the final minutes of the game that both teams believed the result was a draw at the final whistle.
But when the goals were tallied, Harrow-Balmoral came out one goal ahead, 50-49.
Salter said she did not believe the result gave her charges a mental edge over Laharum, but it would do wonders for their confidence.
“In the last quarter every single one of us did the job and played better than we had been,” she said.
“I think it shows a lot of our character.
“We know if we get that far down against them next time, they won’t let us back in, but we know we can play some really good netball against them now.”
Last Modified on 15/05/2014 10:31