The Saints were right in it in the first quarter, taking a 11-10 lead with just three minutes to play. Seymour was able to counterpunch, scoring five of the last six, but Benalla was happy with the efforts early in the contest.
“We were competitive right from the start,” coach Jo Toms said.
“We made good use of our centre passes and intercepts, we did very well, unfortunately we were just unable to sustain the intensity.”
The second quarter may have been the best in the GVL season for the Saints, as they kept the sixth-placed Lions to just eight goals for the quarter. At the other end of the court, Ella Sheehan and Chloe Elliot were able to net 11 for the away side. Spirits were high as the Saints went into the main break trailing by just two goals with what may have been their best quarter of the 2024 season.
The third term, however, was a stark contrast to what was produced in the second. Turnover after turnover hampered the Saints, as they were soundly beaten 19-6 in the third alone.
“We just dropped the ball,” Toms said disappointedly.
“Again, we get a few extra hands to the ball but I do believe the difference is we weren’t holding strong, we needed to adapt and we just didn’t.”
It was a parade of Ruby Martin and Ellie Fuhrmeister flavoured goals for the home team in the last, as the Lions were able to net another 18. Benalla could only manage nine of their own, as the game finished with a Seymour win to the tune of 24 goals.
With two games left in the 2024 GVL season, the Saints still strive toward their first win of the season, but it hasn’t dampened the teams’ spirits.
“There are many ways to assess a season, and I think the girls so far have done really well,” Toms said proudly.
“We’ve had a great season off court and I think it’s a really great way to look at it.”
The next challenge for Toms and her Saints is a home game against Euroa and their third-placed Magpies. But just like every other game that’s come before them, Benalla looks forward to it as players continue their learnings, looking to apply them well heading into the 2025 GVL season.
