ANY thoughts of relaxing after a premiership victory were quickly thrown away by North Bendigo's A-grade netball team on Saturday.
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Fans of North Bendigo's and Colbinabbin's netball teams were again treated to a brilliant contest between last year's grand finalists.
Last September it was North which beat Colbo by seven goals in the battle for the premiership flag at Huntly.
Although North had home-court advantage at Superior Roofing Oval in Atkins Street in the season's second round, it was Colbinabbin which did all the early attacking.
The Grasshoppers were in superb form in all thirds of the court.
North Bendigo coach Tamara Gilchrist said Colbo's play was outstanding.
"They were up by nine at one stage," Gilchrist said of the Grasshoppers being able to rack up consecutive goals several times.
"Although we were being outplayed we stuck with the same starting seven and gradually worked our way back to level scores and then take the lead.
"It was important not to panic.
"The self-belief and confidence within our team played a big part in last year's premiership and will again this season."
In Saturday's play, North Bendigo was up by four goals at a couple of minutes to go.
Colbinabbin struck back, but it was the red, white and blue which celebrated a two-goal victory.
Gilchrist said a key to the turnaround in the second half was lifting the workrate.
"The past couple of years our matches against Colbinabbin have always been intense and a great battle from start to finish. The trend continued.
"We had to put in the hard yards and I was really proud of our fightback."
North Bendigo's best included Kate McCann at goalkeeper.
"Kate took a break from netball last year, but she is back and played extremely well."
In her comeback from injury, Jarileey Scholtes played a key role a wing attack.
Unbeaten and on top of the A-grade ladder, North Bendigo is on the road for this Sunday's match at Huntly.
Round three begins on Anzac Day when Colbinabbin plays Mount Pleasant at M.J. Morgan Reserve.
All other matches are on Sunday.
Elmore hosts White Hills, Lockington-Bamawm United takes on Leitchville-Gunbower, and Heathcote has the bye.