Magpies heartbreak after spirited fightback

Hopes of securing a spot in the Ovens and Murray A grade netball top five were severely diminished for Wangaratta Magpies on the weekend after they were swamped by Lavington in a final quarter blitz. Wangaratta had trailed by five goals at half-time in the bruising encounter but rallied to tie up the scores 32 all at the final break before the Panthers fought back for the 45-40 win. The result puts Lavington six points ahead of the 'Pies with two rounds remaining, so Magpies would have to win both and Lavington lose both for their respective ladder positions to switch. Of course one or two draws for Lavington could also make it interesting but, whichever way, it's out of Wangaratta's hands now, even if they keep winning. "It was a real heartbreaker on the weekend," Wangaratta Magpies coach Shea Cunningham said. "We showed great resilience to fight back and level the score at three-quarter time, but Lavington proved too strong in the final term. "They won the game through their composure and execution under pressure, their goalers didn’t miss." On a brighter note, Magpies came away injury-free although there were plenty of sore bodies after the intense battle. Olivia Holmes played a pivotal role in defence for Magpies, shutting down key plays and Holly Humphrys worked tirelessly in attack and created scoring opportunities, and Georgia Clark was also impressive. Other strong contributors included Hannah Grady and Amanda Umanski (26 goals), who again both showed great leadership and intensity. Cunningham remains positive with the candle of hope still burning, mathematically at least, the Magpies are still a faint chance. "We’re backing ourselves to give it everything against Raiders and Albury, and if Lavington stumble, we’re right in the mix," she said. "Draws could also shake things up, so we’re watching closely. "We’re focusing on pride, growth, and the opportunity to finish strong. "The message is: stay united, play with heart, and keep believing." Cunningham also sent out a huge thankyou to everyone who supported the club's Goods and Services Auction after the game. "It was a fantastic night," she said. "The generosity and community spirit were incredible, and the funds raised will make a real difference to the club and Wangaratta sport in general." Over at Corowa, Wangaratta Rovers matched it goal for goal with the competition's top side for periods of the game, but an opening term 20-5 onslaught by the Roos was enough to secure them the points 55-37. Rovers coach Gracie Reid was understandably proud of her team's response after that tough first quarter, describing the players' resilience to turn things around as outstanding. "We’ve talked a lot about belief, accountability, and sticking to our structures under pressure, and on Saturday the girls really showed what they're capable of when they back themselves," she said. "There's still plenty to work on, especially in how we start games, but the character they showed out there was really pleasing." Her players' determination and willingness to fight after the first quarter stood out for Reid. "In that first quarter, we were a bit reactive, maybe a touch hesitant, and against quality opposition, you can’t afford that. "But once we settled, the girls really dug deep. "We started contesting every ball, applying real pressure defensively, and most importantly, we played with belief. "It wasn’t perfect, but the shift in mindset made all the difference. "The fight and hunger they showed after half time is exactly the standard we want to bring from the first whistle against Myrtleford and Bulldogs (in the final two rounds)." Milla Schubert (GS) rewarded her coach's faith with an outstanding game, as did young defender Lara Judd, up against Corowa's celebrated spearhead Lou Madden. "Milla's height and her style of play made a real difference in our attacking end, with Bec and I both being shorter players," Reid said. "Her presence drew the defenders in, and that allowed either her or myself to find space much more effectively. "It changed the dynamic in the circle and gave us more control in our attack. "Lou was outstanding for Corowa, but Lara did a great job disrupting the feed, especially those over-the-top balls. "That effort was made possible thanks to our mid-courters, Briony Simpson, Holly McCarthy, and Mikaela Trethowan, who applied relentless hands-over pressure and worked so hard to keep their opponents off the ring. "It was a real team defensive effort, and I was proud of how connected we were across the court."

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