Ocean Grove guaranteed itself a double chance come finals time with a thrilling two-goal win against the previously undefeated Geelong Amateur in round 15 of Bellarine Netball League on Saturday July 22.
Down by seven goals in the first term the Grubbers kicked into gear and got the game back onto their terms, running out winners 59 to 57.
It was a complete team performance and although Ammos had several key players out, Ocean Grove’s confidence going into the finals in three weeks is now sky high.
Co-coach Bec O’Neill said the “team mentality” changed after a slow beginning.
“We started a bit slow and made a few errors early,” she said.
“Once we eliminated those and lifted the intensity, we played much better.
“We were just more concentrating on feeling we can match it with them.
“We weren’t too concerned with the scoreline at the end of the day because we knew they didn’t have a complete team. It was more of a bonus that we came away with the four points.”
Georgia Berry played a superb game on star Ammos’ goalshooter Ruby Watson and with Kelsey Ollis chipping in and Rhiannon Whitson doing her job at goal defence, Ocean Grove stifled its opposition in attack.
Goal defence Georgia Finn and goal attack Ashton O’Brien were also terrific contributors while O’Neill herself scored 42 goals.
“It was good having someone who can match Ruby’s height,” O’Neill said of Finn’s performance.
Ocean Grove now faces the prospect of going from playing an undefeated team to a side that hasn’t tasted victory at all this season in Modewarre.
“We need to go into this week and put last week completely behind us and move forward,” O’Neill said.
“They (Modewarre) have been very competitive. We need to step up.”
With three rounds to go before finals and Ocean Grove assured of a top three spot, O’Neill said the coming weeks will be spent ironing out some creases.
“We’ll just try a few different combinations and work on our four-quarter efforts,” O’Neill said.
“We’ll look to really work hard on 15-minute efforts each quarter.”
ROUND 15
A Grade: Ocean Grove 59 def Geelong Amateur 57. Best: Rhiannon Whitson, Ashton O’Brien, Georgia Finn.
B Grade: Ocean Grove 49 def by Geelong Amateur 61. Best: Amelia Cunningham (34 goals), Dannie Hoiles, Claudia Britt.
C Grade: Ocean Grove 39 def by Geelong Amateur 42. Best: Kate Titheridge (31 goals), Heidi Bennett, Matilda Kelly.
D Grade: Ocean Grove 37 def Geelong Amateur 33. Best: Tarryn Stanley, Jorja Connellan, Emma Sinkinson.
D Grade: Ocean Grove 29 def by Geelong Amateur 30. Best: Hannah Quinn (20 goals), Anabelle Sargeant, Emilie Punton.
19 & Under: Ocean Grove 19 def by Geelong Amateur 26. Best: Lexie Annand, Milla Bell, Anika Bult.
17 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 32 def Geelong Amateur 23. Best: Sofia Dickeson, Tilly Peace-Teague, Lucy Sampson (18 goals).
17 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 26 def Geelong Amateur 25. Best: Grace Sadler, Alice Molloy (14 goals), Sienna White.
15 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 25 def by Geelong Amateur 28. Best: Alice Sampson, Laura Ahearn, Emma Barry (14 goals).
15 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 20 def by Geelong Amateur 29. Best: Lucy Neaves (13 goals), Charli Burke, Piper Needham.
13 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 7 def by Geelong Amateur 44. Best: Alana Farrow, Heidi Armstrong, Ruby Cook.
13 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 19 def Geelong Amateur 16. Best: Willow Stephenson, Arabella Johnson, Joie Clarke.
