Diggers Rest may not have come away with the points on Saturday against Romsey, but it comes away with confidence it can match it with the top sides in the Riddell District Netball League.

With a finals spot already assured, the last few rounds for the Burras are about testing themselves against the top sides.

With matches against Romsey, which is second, and Macedon, on top, the Burras finals’ run has come two weeks early.

On Saturday against the Redbacks, the Burras overcame a slow start to level the scores heading into half-time.

The Redbacks found a little bit extra in the second half, but couldn’t run away with the game as the Burras continued to push.

The Redbacks extra class proved to be the difference, winning 51-46.

Burras’ playing-coach Amy Carroll said a couple of mistakes at crucial times cost them in the end.

“I was really happy with how the girls fought it out,” she said.

“We gave them a start in the first quarter, which probably hurt us.

“We came back, really pressured them and previously at the start of the season we were having those lapses and not coming out of them.

“We just kept pushing and pushing but we didn’t get there. It was just a few silly things and we could have got the win.”

Carroll shot 25 goals for the Burras, with Alicija Marko Rawlings shooting 20 goals after coming on in the first quarter.

Shelby Strong was one of the standouts for the Burras. She started the game in goals, before having to switch to wing attack when Tayla Behan left the court early in the game with illness.

Carroll said Strong’s performance was even better knowing she injured herself at training on Thursday night,

“Shelby has had a fantastic year and I’m really proud of how she has come on.

“She’s only a young player, she’s such a fantastic shooter.

“She has a real eye to pass into the shooters and her drives are really strong.”

Defender Jena Baboth was the other star for the Burras.

Carroll said one of the positives from the performance was players able to step up when needed.

On top of losing Behan, the side was already missing Toni Lind and Natasha Chokljat. Lind is expected to return next week, while Carroll said she was hopeful Chokljat would be back for finals.

“I think that it’s an advantage we have a good strong team and anyone can come in and fill those gaps.

“Obviously we did miss Tash, Toni and Tayla but I was happy with the girls we had out there and have confidence putting them out there.”

Written by Tara Murray. Originally published by Star Weekly 14/8/2017 @ http://www.starweekly.com.au/sports/diggers-rest-proves-its-got-what-it-takes/