When a match is in the balance, the toughest players come to the forefront.
White Hills goaler Ash Gilmore was the standard bearer for her team as the Heathcote District Netball League faced the Sunraysia league on Saturday afternoon.
In the opening quarter of the match, Gilmore suffered a broken finger — an incredibly painful injury for anyone, let alone someone who has a ball thrown at them all day.
But not one to shy away from a challenge, Gilmore stayed on the court and completed the match, inspiring her side to a one-goal victory.
HDFNL operations manager Jan Mannes said Gilmore’s performance had made the difference for her side.
“It’s an incredibly tough thing to do,” Mannes said.
“But it’s the kind of player Ash is.
‘‘She took the injury in stride and kept playing. She dominated around the goal for us and really got us over the line.”
Heathcote had looked strong early, out to an eight-goal lead at quarter-time.
But the Sunraysia side kept coming, requiring a strong effort from the HD to hold on.
“Players like Emmalea Wishart and Bronte Gundry (both of Leitchville-Gunbower) really stepped up late and put a lot of pressure on, they moved the ball well and kept us in the match.”
The victory again confirms the HD as one of the strongest netball leagues in the state.
“I think the match showed how proud our netballers are,” Mannes said. “They took time off, they worked hard and they gave it their all to represent our league and show how good the quality of netball can be.
‘‘I think they showed just how strong our sport is.”
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