Lindenow South won the Omeo District “A” grade netball elimination final in sensational circumstances last Saturday after nothing separated the Swampies and Bruthen at the end of normal time at Lindenow South.
Bruthen looked to be in control of the match at half time when it held a seven-goal advantage, but the Swampies, who finished third after the home and away season, refused to concede, drawing within two goals at three quarter time.
The old adage that tall players certainly don’t get any smaller was to the fore in this match with giant Swampie, Tash Fehst, becoming more important as the match progressed, double teamed for much of the second half and during extra time.
The sides finished locked on 51 goals each after normal time, with Bulldog shooter Liv Healey keeping her side in the contest with some accurate clutch shooting down the stretch.
After a minute’s rest the sides went into overtime, with two halves of seven minutes scheduled.
Several times in overtime either side looked likely to make a break, establishing a two-goal buffer, but never being able to get to three.
The Swampies lost Shanny Edwards to a lower leg injury in the first half of extra time, but it did little to halt momentum, the sides locked on the scoreboard despite using completely different game plans to score.
The Bulldogs were methodical, working the ball down to the fast-moving Healey, who seldom missed, while the Swampies were intent to bomb it in long to Fehst, who continually put her long arms up under pressure from two defenders, catching the ball and converting time and time again.
The scores were locked on 63 apiece after overtime.
After another quick changeover, the sides were sent out to play until one side could establish a two-goal break to win the match.
Both sides had chances to win in the next five minutes, with both shooters having the opportunity to seal the game for their respective sides, only to miss and the ball end up in the ring at the other end.
Bruthen’s opportunities were caused by the Swampies rushing, but eventually they regained their composure, Fehst converting at 67-66 to give her side an amazing win in one of the best Omeo District netball matches ever played.
Fehst finished with a sensational 63 goals, with Healey just as effective at the other end.
In “B” grade Lindenow South defeated Buchan by three goals, while Omeo Benambra progressed in the under 17s after beating the Swampies by five goals.
