ARARAT Rats succumbed to a disappointing home court defeat in a bottom-of-the-table clash against Nhill Tigers in the Wimmera Netball Association on Saturday.
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The round two game was much close with eight goals the largest margin between the two teams.
The final score was 43 to 36, with the Tigers leading in every quarter and maintaining momentum throughout the game.
It was the Tigers first victory of the season.
It was also the Nhill’s first victory in two and a half seasons of netball.
Rats A-Grade player and 17 and under coach Rebecca Skrabl said the side was disappointed with the loss.
“We have been working towards specific things on the court and some have been coming through,” she said.
“In the last quarter we had our opportunity when we cut the scoreline down to only two goals but couldn’t get there.”
Skrabl said that the Rats did not have errors go their way.
“Nhill made errors and we couldn’t capitalise,” she said.
“Tonight we will be training on a couple of little things.
“Lots of games are winnable in this year’s season so I think we will bounce back sooner rather than later,”
Skrabl said she thinks Harmony Newman played well because she provides great drive to the side.
The Rats came out of the contest unscathed.
Rats netball director Brandon Scott said they will bounce back from the loss as quickly as possible.
“We beat them earlier in the year and we were favourites going into the contest,” he said.
“The Tigers came into the contest with attitude and were determined.
“The girls were clearly disappointed but they will want to get off to a good start against Stawell this weekend to put some pressure on.”
The last time the two sides met, the Rats came out on top with a comfortable 54 to 28 victory.
The win has been a long time coming for the Tigers outfit, with the side improving each week throughout the 2016 season.
Tigers leadership group representative Emma Dickinson said the side played well for the whole game.
“It was a team effort - an all-round performance,” she said.
“We could see that we have been coming together and it was great to see that we all played for the whole game.
“We were absolutely rapt.”
A majority of the Tigers side has been with the team for several years, with most players not winning a single A Grade game with the team since joining.
“It was really special for us to come away with a win,” Dickinson said.
“I think this will give us confidence.”
