UNBEATEN Wedderburn were under the pump early against local rivals Boort in North Central A Grade netball, trailing 9-1 as the Magpies got off to a strong start.
In a highly physical game, Boort forced the Redbacks into mistakes, and while quarter-time saw the Magpies up by only one goal, their pressure suggested a tight contest.
As it panned out, Wedderburn powered away to a 16-goal win that kept Boort in third spot on the ladder and facing a tough battle to grab the double chance for the finals.
Redbacks coach Susie Lockhart said Boort “got the drop on us in the first quarter”, but her side rallied when the team steadied and got back to playing its irresistible brand of netball.
A few positional changes also helped, with better match ups when bench players were introduced.
And Boort’s physical tactics came back to bite them, with frequent contact calls stifling their momentum.
Wedderburn’s opponent in the first week of the finals is still uncertain, with Sea Lake Nandaly and Boort fighting for second place on the ladder.
The Redbacks have an early sighter this Saturday when they travel to Sea Lake to face the Tigers, who lost to the reigning premiers by only eight goals in the opening round of the season.
“You go into every game with total respect for your opposition, knowing this could be the week you get done,” Lockhart said this week.
The last two rounds offer fascinating possibilities, with fifth-placed Birchip Watchem still chasing Calder United for a finals berth.
Sea Lake has the toughest run home, with Wedderburn and Calder to come, while Boort faces St Arnaud and Charlton, two matches the Magpies should win.
In other  games, Birchip Watchem saw off bottom side St Arnaud 62-36 at Lord Nelson Park.
Sea Lake Nandaly won by 20 goals over Donald, and Calder United kept its grip on fourth place with a 73-24 win over Charlton in the Mount of Prevention Cup raising awareness of domestic violence.
The cup was previously contested between Charlton and Wycheproof, which merged with Nullawil to form Calder United.