MYRTLEFORD enjoyed a dream start to their first North East Women’s Country Basketball League season since 2022-23 with a 65-58 win over the touted Wodonga Wolves.

Up against last season’s semi-finalists, Myrtleford struggled early, with Wodonga holding a seven point lead at quarter time before limiting the Saints to a nine-point second term.

The Saints rallied from an 11-point deficit at half-time to come home by seven points, thanks in part to some new names on the side.

Chaye Crimmins (19 points for the match) led the way in her first game for the Saints, sinking threes with impunity, while sisters Jorja Reidy (16 points) and Tayla Larkings (eight points) made their presence known.

The Saints brought the margin down to just one point, and a hard-fought final term saw Myrtleford prevail.

Complementing the newcomers, Jordan Crisp, Evie Hughes and Paige Zamperoni were strong as well.

Coach Kory Batt said it was outstanding for this new-look team to record a win in their first outing.

“It was very pleasing to come home with a win on Sunday. Going into it, it was always going to be tough – coming up against Wodonga, they’re always a tough game,” he said.

“With a brand-new side this year, I didn’t really have too many expectations, so it was very pleasing to come away with the win in the end.

“The girls fought all game, it was 11 points at half-time we were down by, we came in at half-time and had a chat about things, moved things around.

“The girls came out, upped their pressure, and we were able to get on top.”

Batt said the inclusion of new names to an established CBL side had been seamless, with the side already coming together despite limited training sessions together.

“It’s a good mix, a good mix of talls, a good mix of smalls, local girls and a couple of out-of-towners,” he said.

“I reached out to a couple of players from Wangaratta because they pulled their side, so it was good I was able to get a couple of them to come up, which has just boosted our side quite a lot.

“Having Chaye, she only reached out a week and a half ago, saying she was keen to play.

“The Reidy girls, with those two together you always know what you’re going to get, high-intensity basketball - they’re very competitive, it’s pleasing they’re on my side this year.”

The Saints will look to continue their winning ways against Shepparton Gators this Sunday on the road.

“It’s a bit hard to tell – having that year out, you sort of lose where every other team is,” Batt said.

“I’ve had a little bit of a look, but I think with the way we played on the weekend, we can go over there with some confidence.

“With a few more training sessions this week, we’ll be able to gel a bit more.

“I’m pretty confident we can go over there and have a good showing.”