CALM and confident netball has moved Koroit one step closer to the Hampden league A grade grand final.
The defending premier defeated Warrnambool 40-35 in the qualifying final at Terang Recreation Reserve to preserve its finals double chance.
Koroit will take on Camperdown in the second semi-final, with the winner earning the first spot in the September 22 grand final.
The Saints surged early but had to hold their nerves to prevail in near-perfect conditions.
Coach Jacqui Bowman said she was happy to take the win, despite the match being "not the prettiest of games".
"It's a win none the less. Now we have to take on Camperdown," she said.
Bowman said Koroit would have to lift if it was going to beat Camperdown and earn direct passage into the decider.
"We know where we can improve.
"We just need to play possession netball and cut out all those turnovers, those silly turnovers.
"Play patient netball more than anything."
Koroit settled first and edged to a 14-10 lead at quarter-time, which became 26-18 at the long break.
Bowman was running the show through the midcourt and Carley Thomas (29 goals) and Rachel Dobson (11 goals) were shooting truly.
At the other end, Warrnambool had lost shooter Danielle McLeod (13 goals) to an ankle injury before half-time and had to shake up its side.
Sarah Hearn went into goal attack, Siobhan Sefton shifted to wing attack and Kelsey Perry came into the centre.
The changes sparked the Blues into action and they cut the deficit to one goal in the last quarter but couldn't get over the line.
"They could've easily taken it away. To our girls' credit we didn't let that happen, that was a bonus for us," Bowman said.
Warrnambool coach Lorraine English said she would take positives out of the match ahead of a first semi-final against North Warrnambool Eagles.
"We tried two different combinations (after half-time) and the last one really paid off," she said.
"We went out and fought hard. We came off knowing we still had the game within our grasp.
"We knew we could still do it, we felt we took a half to believe in ourselves."
English said McLeod would see a physiotherapist today, but she was rapt all the same to have discovered a new shooting pair.
"We know now we do have another combination that can take the court and do really well."
afawkes@standard.fairfax.com.au
