TYNTYNDER have recorded a come-from-behind two-goal win over a desperate Kerang side, bringing themselves within two points of breaking into the top five of the Central Murray A Grade ladder.
After trailing by six goals at quarter and half-time, the Bulldogs fought back in the second half, reducing the margin to just one goal at three-quarter time, before overrunning Kerang in the final quarter on their way to 45-43 victory.
It was Tyntynder’s fifth win of the season, with the Bulldogs now sitting just half a game behind fifth-placed Cohuna ahead of a highly anticipated clash between the two clubs this Saturday – a contest that Bulldogs coach Kelsey Rowe was confident of winning.
“We don’t see our season as being over at all, we definitely think finals is doable and we were pretty happy with our last quarter of netball on Saturday,” Rowe said.
“If we play that kind of netball from here on out, we can be contenders to sneak back into the top five.
“It won’t be easy, but we have that belief that we can do it nonetheless.
“The last time we played Cohuna it was a close game, we’ve definitely got our work cut out for us in the back end of the season, but hopefully we can come out on top as well.”
The win against an improving Kerang should only boost that belief, putting them back on the winners list having lost their previous three matches.
While their slow starts are a concern for Rowe, she said her team’s ability to work back into the contest in the second half should hold her team in good stead.
“We’re making a good habit of playing tight matches lately, which is good coming into the back end of the season,” Rowe said.
“It was a good result in the end, Kerang are a tall and physical side, and we struggle a little bit against that kind of outfit.
“We put our foot down in the last quarter, found another gear and run over the top of them, which I was pretty happy about.
“(Kerang) had control for the majority of the game really, but we were able to lift our intensity under pressure when it mattered.
“The last few minutes our attack end was a bit more clinical with our ball use and were able to maintain possession and withstand their pressure and I feel that was a big factor in us getting the result.
Elvie Kelly-Britten was named Tyntynder’s best player, the wing attack’s defensive pressure down the court receiving high praise from Rowe.
The Bulldogs coach herself led the scoring with 27 goals to also be among her team’s better players.
Kerang were well served by goal shooter Denise Snyder, who shot 31 of her team’s 43 goals, with their midcourt combination of Bree Cordina, Danielle Coates and Lily Wise also combining well.
Kerang coach Chloe Adams struggled to hide her disappointment after the match, with her team unable to maintain to take advantage of their dominant first half.
“We played 45 minutes of great netball where we stuck to our game plan and executed well,” Adams said.
“Unfortunately, we had moments throughout the game where we lost our composure and allowed them back into the match, particularly in that last quarter and it was costly.
“To not be able to close out the game is obviously incredibly disappointing, however I’m really proud of our girls for the way our game is developing each week.
“We are building and beginning to consistently stick to our structures and plans, but now it’s about learning to stay calm and composed in order to execute in those critical moments.”
Final Whistle
| Tyntynder | 45 |
| Kerang | 43 |
