It was third time lucky for the Lawrence Area School netball team last week.
Without a reserve on the bench, the year 9 to 13 girls won the South Island secondary schools netball tournament 2015 C grade title in Timaru.
Having made it to the finals in the two previous years, before last Thursday's final team captain Eloise McLaughlin, year 12, who was named one of four C grade talented players at the tournament, said she questioned whether the ''curse'' would continue.
In a tight game against John Paul II High School, of Greymouth, Eloise said, when the umpire blew the final whistle the players were not sure if there had been yet another stoppage in play or whether they had continued their undefeated run and won the tournament.
''We looked at each other and we were like `We won','' she said.
''And then we screamed.''
Only 19 girls in years 9 to 13 attend the 138-pupil year 1 to year 13 rural school and only the eight players in the team stuck their hands up to play netball this year.
Janine Lyders became coach only five weeks ago.
Then when Annie McLaughlin had to pull out after the first quarter of the first game with a back injury, the team was left with no reserves.
But the team put in a gutsy effort in Timaru where it recorded eight straight wins, Mrs Lyders said.
''They were just on fire,'' she said.
''They just stuck to the game plan ... and everything just came together.''
Kate Anderson, the school's office administrator and sports co-ordinator, started the school's netball programme six years ago; in their first year at the South Island Secondary Schools Netball Tournament the side did not win a single game.
Mrs Anderson, who is also the team's manager, revelled in the girls' dedication during the tournament.
''It was just a team effort the whole week.''
