The Bulldogs’ A grade netballers put in a scintillating third term against top five-ranked South Rovers, piling on 22 goals to eight to take a game-changing eight-goal lead at Panmure Recreation Reserve.

The home team had already put in an impressive first half, keeping pace with the in-form Lions, trailling by just four goals at quarter-time and two at the main break.

But their third term blew the game open, and the Lions were never able to recover as Panmure went on to win 63-54.

“We haven’t really played our third quarters very well this year, so third quarter for us was fantastic, absolutely fantastic,” Bulldogs coach Steph Jamieson said.

“We finally pulled it together for four quarters, so we’re very happy.

“We just kept playing our own game and did our own thing; we didn’t worry about them too much.”

The game was hastily transferred to the adjoining court early in the fourth quarter when the ring on the eastern-end goal post fell down when it was hit in a goaling attempt.

Thankfully, there was no one under the ring at the time.

South Rovers had to finish the game without goal keeper Nicole Sutherland, who badly hurt her right ankle in the third quarter.

Lions coach Lisa Pender said her charges would look to move on quickly from the disappointing game, but knew there was “definitely a lot to work on”.

She was, however, pleased with the contribution of the team’s juniors, with Grace Rae and Hannah Garner stepping up in the absence of regular A grade Lions.