GAWLER Central has moved into third position after knocking off South Gawler by four goals in Barossa, Light & Gawler senior one netball on Saturday.
The Lions led for the majority of the match, including by three goals at quarter-time and half-time before the Tigers started to claw their way back.
South maintained a one-goal lead at three-quarter-time, but Central’s belief guided it over the line in the final stanza as it scored 15 goals to 10 to run out winners.
Gawler Central coach Reece Turtur said he was “very happy” at the final whistle.
“It was a quality match between two quality sides and I think the result could’ve gone either way,” he said.
“South would get a run and then we would, and then it was going to come down to who could hold their composure the longest.
Turtur praised his mid-court for their relentless running across four quarters.
“I think Katie Ward had a stand out game, looking back it was probably one of her finest games this season to date,” he said.
“Her work rate in defence was really influential to the result.
“Erin Scheepens was a workhorse all 60 minutes, and in the final quarter she ran in centre.”
It was Turtur’s first win over the Lions in his two-year tenure in charge of the Tigers, and he was delighted to get the monkey off the back.
“It was a mix of emotions, I was incredibly relieved, I was excited and it was a tense day all-round,” he said.
“I knew, and I’ve always known, the girls had in it in them and we’d been building some good momentum.
“We had good games against Barossa and Kapunda, although the scoreboard didn’t favour us.
“I think it shows them that they can do it, and sometimes when you come up against sides maybe on paper you’re easily matched or a bit better than, and you haven’t beaten them before, it’s a challenge and it adds an extra layer to the game.
“For them to pull through and get the chocolates in this stage of the season, that does wonders for them and shows we can beat teams inside the top four.
“It’s not just about beating the ones below us.”
The Tigers face Tanunda this weekend, while South Gawler will take on undefeated Kapunda.
Around the grounds
Elsewhere, Barossa District obliterated Tanunda by 72 goals.
The Bulldogs scored an unbelievable 98 goals to the Magpies’ 26 to maintain their spot atop the ladder.
Kapunda also made short work of rival Freeling by 39 goals.
Lastly, Angaston shocked Nuriootpa by eight goals.
The win now increases the gap between the Tigers and the top four to two games.