Talented Victorian goalkeeper and Berwick resident Melinda Cranston towers over her opponent during a netball match for the Melbourne Kestrels.By Glen Atwell
THE Victorian Open netball team fell just two goals short of winning the national netball championships in Canberra last week, losing to New South Wales in overtime 5759.
Victoria had blitzed every other team in the competition, but could not overcome the reigning champions that levelled the scores at fulltime after trailing by three goals at the final break.
In the overtime period, the lead changed throughout thrilling the crowd with every pass.
Melbourne Kestrel defender and Berwick resident Melinda Cranston held out NSW goalshooter Joanne Morgan and traded thrilling intercepts with her opposition goalkeeper Alison Tucker.
With five minutes remaining, New South Wales grabbed the lead and managed to hang on by two goals.
Cranston said the intensity lifted during the overtime period and the lead went back and forth.
“We had the first centre pass and went one up,” she said.
“But the pressure was on and both sides were making mistakes.”
