Despite pushing one of the top Wimmera Netball Association A Grade sides early on, Stawell's coaches are hoping for more consistency.
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The Warriors hosted undefeated Minyip-Murtoa at Central Park, looking for a first win of the 2019 season.
The underdog home side looked to have an upset in the making, putting together some of their best netball of the season to hold an unlikely 15-14 quarter-time lead.
"It was a really impressive start - the girls came out and played the way we know they can play," Stawell co-coach Tracey Dark said.
As the rain came across the next two terms so did Minyip-Murtoa's intensity, breaking the game apart.
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The Burras outscored Stawell 39 to 16 across the second and third quarters to secure the game.
Stawell bounced back to lose the final quarter by just two goals, falling short 64-40 at full time.
"We lost our way a bit in those middle quarters, silly little errors crept in which gave them the game," Dark said.
"To the credit of the girls they did a good job to finish strongly in some average weather."
Stawell's other co-coach Toni Stewart said her players were taking chances early on but fell away later.
"They were willing to take a bit more of a chance on going for intercepts while at the same time being responsible for our player," she said.
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"After quarter-time our intensity dropped. We let it go in the middle of the game but fought back a bit at the end."
Jemma Clarkson stood out for Stawell with 25 goals, while Lisa Fleming did her best in her 100th game to limit the impact of interleague shooter Kirby Knight.
"The conditions suited the stand and hold game a bit more. Our running game was slowed down with the rain," Dark said.
"Lisa had a really good game in trying circumstances."
Stewart said the first quarter showed that her side is capable of beating the best.
"We have got the players to compete with those top teams - we just need to have the belief to do it for a full four quarters," she said.
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