MYRTLEFORD’S A grade netball squad held on in a classic to down a spirited Wangaratta Rovers outfit on the court at WJ Findlay Oval on Saturday.

While the Saints led for the majority of the match they were never in complete control of proceedings, but will bank the four points after the 52-51 win.

Myrtleford came out strong but could not maintain momentum for long before the Rovers would wrest it back, a scenario which would repeat for the entire match.

La Spina said her side could hold their heads high after weathering a serious challenge.

“It definitely went in waves – the Saints would have a five-minute purple patch, then the Rovers would have a five-minute purple patch, and it kept going that way,” she said.

“We stayed in front for the majority of the game, I think they got their noses in front in the last quarter but we were able to claw it back.

“Although we had some tired girls at the end, I really love they were able to keep their heads mentally in the game as well, particularly in the last two or three minutes where it was possession netball.

“They’re always mentally tough games as much as they are physically tough games, but it’s good.”

Daisy O’Kane was the talisman in the shooting circle, finishing the match with 44 of her side’s goals at an accuracy of 75.86 per cent, aided by Emma Sharp’s eight goals.

La Spina said O’Kane’s confidence and calmness in shooting proved the difference.

“I think Daisy O’Kane was really pivotal under the post for us in goal shooter, she probably shot 85 per cent of our goals and was prolific under that post,” she said.

“Having Daisy under the post, her being so confident with her shots also made the rest of the team relax, which was good.

“As much as it was a bit of a tough day for defenders on both teams, Tina (Way) and Bec (Piazza) were able to get a few crucial rebounds in those last six minutes when rebounds were few and far between.”

The Saints turn their attention to this Saturday’s home game against Albury Tigers, who are languishing on the bottom of the ladder.

“It’s exciting to get a win on the weekend, and hopefully we can take that momentum into this weekend,” La Spina said.

“They’ve had a bit of a tough run this year, they’ve had some major injuries to some of their more experienced players, but you can never count them out.

“I think it will be a very different game to what we played to the weekend, it’ll be a lot more defensive.”

In other results from the weekend’s netball clashes with the Rovers, the B grade (52-35) and C grade (46-43) sides tasted victory, while the under 17s (34-53) and under 15s (43-51) fell.