Ocean Grove withstood a spirited first-half performance from Portarlington to win its Bellarine Netball League round 12 clash by 33 goals.
The ninth-placed Demons came out firing against second-placed Ocean Grove to lead by four goals at the first change and scores were level at half time.
But the Grubbers pulled away in the third, scoring 19 goals to one and then cruised over the line with a further 20 goals to five in the final term to win 58 to 25.
Captain Emily Moroney said the challenge was laid down at half time after a tardy start.
“We just started really slowly,” she said.
“The weather was pretty average and we weren’t really prepared for it. Mentally we just weren’t in the game when we should have been.
“We pulled our heads in and started fighting for the ball going for the one percenters. We were able to play our style of netball.
“They (Portarlington) were good. They really came out firing, probably the opposite to us.”
Moroney said slow starts against the top sides could prove disastrous and that the group was determined to not let that happen again.
“It was a credit to us that we were able to get ourselves back into the game,” she said.
“We changed our attitude and mindset. The positions pretty much stayed the same. It will be a lesson learnt from the weekend. You have to play four consistent quarters, against the top sides.”
Moroney said there was no complacency pregame given Port’s lowly position on the ladder.
“We usually come out expecting a tough game no matter who we are playing,” she said.
“It was just the team effort and the ability to keep going even though we were down and turn the scoreline around.”
Moroney was a star at wing attack for Ocean Grove while defender Rhiannon Whitson and goal attack Ashton O’Brien had a positive influence on the outcome.
The Grubbers have a bye this weekend before taking on their arch rivals Barwon Heads at home. Ocean Grove scraped home by three goals against the Seagulls in their round six clash.
“It’s always such a good game against them,” she said.
“The last time we played Barwon Heads it was a close one. We’ve got six weeks now to prepare for finals. We’re still training but a weekend off is always nice.”
Moroney is in her first year as A Grade captain and is enjoying the role and has learnt how to stay calm when the team needs it most.
“We’ve got such a nice group of girls, it’s been a fun year,” she said.
“I’m surrounded by really good people.”
ROUND 12
A Grade: Ocean Grove 58 def Portarlington 25. Best: Kelsey Ollis, Rhiannon Whitson, Emily Moroney.
B Grade: Ocean Grove 58 def Portarlington 20. Best: Gemma Bell, Claudia Britt, Isabel Hackett.
C Grade: Ocean Grove 33 def Portarlington 18. Best: Sofia Dickeson, Mikayla Treacy, Kellie Morrish.
D Grade: Ocean Grove 30 def Portarlington 13. Best: Emma Sinkinson, Terri-Anne Finch, Monet New.
E Grade: Ocean Grove 25 def Portarlington 14. Best: Kylie Collett, Anabelle Sargeant, Emilie Punton.
19 & Under: Ocean Grove 20 def by Portarlington 33. Best: Ruby Hildebrandt, Lexie Annand, Chloe Jeffrey.
17 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 23 def by Portarlington 31. Best: Sofia Dickeson, Ella Brown, Chelsea Ferguson.
17 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 35 def Portarlington 12. Best: Sienna White, Bella Wearmouth (16 goals), Molly McLean.
15 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 24 def Portarlington 20. Best: Abhi Sanjeev, Emma Barry (17 goals), Ella Brown.
15 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 39 def Portarlington 14. Best: Georgia Maier (21 goals), Eve Lake, Lucy Neaves (15 goals).
13 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 6 def by Portarlington 31. Best: Alana Farrow, Charli Rew, Ruby Cook.
13 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 22 def Portarlington 0. Best: Joie Clarke, Olivia Clark (10 goals), Olive Wearmouth.
