A "terrible training" preceded a competitive performance from Leitchville-Gunbower netballers in their return to play in the Heathcote District Netball League on Saturday.
Though the Bombers failed to secure four points against a finals hungry Huntly, the young side showed plenty of positive signs in a close opening half.
And for co-coaches Ash Bradley and Kate Donehue, their team's performance was especially pleasing considering they had missed two weeks of netball due to the recent state COVID-19 lockdown.
“We probably got it out of our system at training, the fumbling balls,” Donehue said.
“I think considering we had the last couple weeks off, everyone played really well today, and it didn’t look like we had those weeks off,” Bradley added.
“The girls went out there and had each other’s back and the communication was really good.”
Sitting right on the cusp of a finals berth, the Hawks arguably had more to play for.
But a winning result didn’t come easy, the Bombers going goal-for-goal with their opponents in the opening quarter.
Huntly broke the stalemate in the second, gaining a two-goal upperhand heading into the third, where they landed the killer blow with a 15-7 goal differential.
The 10-goal margin was too far a reach for the Bombers, as Huntly again outshot their rivals in the final quarter to win by 13.
Among the standouts for the Bombers was goal keeper Macey Brereton, while teenager Ellah Gelletly was a workhorse in wing attack.
“Macey, she really stepped up today, her leadership and communication was awesome, and the number of intercepts and rebounds she took, I don’t think she’s taken that many this season,” Bradley said.
“Ellah, her drives through the court and her feeds, and just her strength, was really impressive.
“And it should be noted, that is a 21 and a 17-year-old - that’s awesome for the group for them to be stepping up,” Donehue said.
Rounding out the better performers was Kelly Rayson, who led the scoring for the Bombers with 29 goals in goal attack.
“Kel, she was amazing, I think she missed like four goals for the entire game,” Bradley said.
“She started in B grade and has worked her way up, B grade, then A reserve. She’s really cemented her spot in A grade now,” Donehue said.
The coaches also praised young guns Zoe Stewart and Shona Hore who came on in goal shooter and goal defence respectively after half-time.
A bye this weekend means Leitchville-Gunbower has little momentum to end the season on, with the club set to return for the final two games against top four side White Hills followed by North Bendigo.
Though the Bombers won’t feature in finals this season, a boilover could be just what the team needs to end the year on a high.
“We want to just keep building on what we’ve done this entire season; I think we’ve come so far,” Bradley said.
“We’ll just have a crack and see where we finish up.”