Myrtleford has snapped a 17-match losing streak to edge out Wodonga Raiders in a two-goal thriller.
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The home team trailed by four goals at three-quarter time, but rallied to break a 12-month winless run, 45-43.
“It means the girls are able to celebrate all the hard work they’ve been putting in,” coach Anndrea Sullivan said.
“It’s hard coming in week in, week out when everybody is saying you’re not going to win, so it’s basically a celebration for them.”
It was the ideal win for Amber Quirk, who was playing her 150th game.
“It was very special and very emotional for the girls, we have worked so hard and got so close in so many games,” she said.
Quite remarkably, Quirk is the veteran at just 22.
“Amber is one of the role models in the club,” Sullivan said.
“She’s been here right through since she was 13 and the girls respect and admire her.”
The Saints’ average age is around 18.
“Sophie Cappellari is one of our young players and she had the match-winning intercept at the end and all the young girls are stepping up, which is really exciting for our club,” Quirk said.
It was the club’s first win since toppling Albury 36-34 in round 13 on July 2, 2016.
“It was consistency, right through from defence to goaling,” Sullivan said.
“The girls kept their heads and when the pressure was on, they kept fighting, they dug deep.”
And they had to fight when Raiders led 35-31 with a quarter left.
However, with Amie Antonello posting 32 for the game, Cappellari playing well and Sally Botter in superb form, Myrtleford scored 14 goals to eight in the final term.
Meanwhile, Yarrawonga held off North Albury in another thriller, 51-50.
The Pigeons’ minor premiership hopes were on the line, but North stormed home in the second half.
Abbey Jones top-scored with 27 goals, while coach Bridget Cassar chipped in with 24.
North’s Grace Senior charged past 400 goals for the season with 41.
Elsewhere, Albury hammered Wodonga, 59-27.
Claire Wilson was best on court with 35 goals, while Jess Fisher-Curnow snared 24.
Sarah Sharp and Tenille Collins were the visitors’ best.
Lavington retained top spot with a 56-41 win over Corowa-Rutherglen.
The Panthers again had three scorers in double figures in Alison Meani (22), Skye Hillier (17) and Sarah Senini (16).
Maddy Lloyd was outstanding, while Caitlyn Gerecke played a strong supporting role.
And Wangaratta toppled Rovers, 47-32.
