The Penola Eagles’ premiership defence in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Netball Association is yet to take flight after another near miss in round 3 on Saturday.
The Eagles travelled to Keith and took the fight to Crows across a hard-fought contest.
The hosts just edged ahead of the visitors after an even opening term where Whitney Smith and Stephanie Lubcke established themselves on the game.
However, Penola found the perfect response after quarter time and snatched the lead with some strong connection between Siobhan Adams and April Possingham.
The stage was set for a classic finish after the Eagles carried a two-goal advantage into the final term.
But to the delight of the home crowd, the Crows hit full flight and dominated the final term to take the game away from Penola.
Danielle Vankalken and Erika Lamont were on fire as Keith scored 20 goals to nine when the game was there to be won. Possingham put in a massive individual effort of 47 goals, but it was not enough for Penola to get its first win on the board.
Border Districts and Mundulla went at it hammer and tongs at Frances where the result was in the air until the final whistle.
After three hard-fought quarters, Border Districts would have been confident of getting the job done after scrapping out a five-goal lead thanks to Lily Pfitzner and Tyler Atkinson.
However, Paige Marra and Alix Lovering gave it everything during a late charge in the final term but in the end Mundulla fell three goals short.
Lucindale continued its winning start to the season by controlling its low-scoring fixture with Bordertown.
After the Roos scored double the amount of goals of their opposition in the first term and did not look back.
Trudy Lane, Lucy Meyer and Holly Ogilvie ensured Bordertown could never mount a proper fightback and Lucindale won 41-23. Naracoorte also had no dramas overcoming Padthaway away from home.
The Demons were fast out of the gates early and put in a consistent effort across the game with Lucy Henschke scoring 36 goals and Georgia Gill and Belinda Manser also playing roles.
Casey McElroy and Ebony McCauley fought hard for the Lions, but could not prevent the 54-34 loss.
