BULLDOGS Verdelho may not have been able to make it back-to-back Bathurst A grade netball premierships on Saturday, but they showed plenty of heart and fight in going down 30-28 to City Colts.
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With the seven starters from last year’s grand final winning outfit bringing big game experience and a strong bench to back them up, Bulldogs made Colts work hard for every possession.
The third quarter typified Bulldogs’ effort as they came from 21-16 down to lock things up at 21-all.
They kept Colts scoreless for more than eight minutes in order to do that, goal keeper Kate Burns and goal defence Grace Broadfield lifting their team-mates with their efforts.
In the end Colts, who led 23-22 heading into the final quarter, did enough to hold off Bulldogs.
But stand-in coach Bulldogs coach Simone Kerrison could not fault the effort of her players.
“They played brilliantly, they kept their cool, kept their heads up and they allowed everybody to play today. That was their goal, that everybody got on court today,” she said.
“Our defence, they played brilliantly and they kept their heads high.
“They had a goal today, they wanted to play well and play strong and they did that.
“It didn’t matter about winning or losing, it was about having fun and everybody having time on court. No matter the result, they knew they were going to be happy.
“They are a great bunch of girls, they all support one another.”