HAMPDEN Green celebrated its Western Regional State League 15 and under premiership with Easter eggs and a selfie.
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The Sarah O’Meara-coached teenagers saved their best performance for last to defeat Colac and District in the grand final at the Arc last night.
The 47-30 victory came after they led by just four at half-time, having rushed to an early advantage before losing their way late in the second term.
But a steady second half allowed them to regain composure and shoot clear. Their 47-goal effort was their highest score of the season.
O’Meara said she was rapt with the performance from her charges, who “gave their all tonight”.
“Everything I’ve asked them to do over the season they definitely did tonight. They left their best for last, I guess. I’m very proud,” she said.
“We had a lull in the second quarter but when we slow it down and play our own game, that’s when we play better.
“We managed to do that in the last couple of quarters and really benefited from it.
“When they (Colac and District) do get a run-on they’re a side that never gives up. We had to keep plugging away and we did that.”
O’Meara thanked the netballers’ home clubs for their work developing the players — “we’ve just gathered them all and put them together”.
She believed “a fresh set of legs” was the difference in the second half.
Zoe Bussell went to wing attack while Phoebe Wittman came into centre. O’Meara also rotated players through wing defence.
“They just steadied it and started to play front more,” she said.
In the shooting circle, Taylah Antonio dropped 28 goals and Molly Hutt shot 19. Goal defence Molly McKinnon earned the best-on-court medal.
The 15 and under success earned Hampden a clean sweep of the WRSL competition for 2015.
Hampden Green took the 17 and under trophy, defeating Hampden White in the grand final 51-22.
Green goal keeper Georgia Corbett was best on court.
Goal shooter Carly Watson netted 31 goals and goal attack Sophie Chow 20.