But such was the disappointment of letting a five-goal lead slip in the dying minutes on Saturday, Magpies coach Narelle Gaynor said the 47-47 tie was “worse than a loss”.

Twice throughout the match – just before half-time and with less than five minutes to go – Clunes led by five goals and seemed destined for a groundbreaking win.

Given they won just four matches last year, a victory against perennial finalist Hepburn would have been a huge turnaround. In their last meeting, Hepburn doubled Clunes’ score to win 68-34.

But an equalising goal to the Burras in the last 10 seconds on Saturday ensured the match finished in an anticlimactic draw.

Gaynor said while it was pleasing to see her side run out four full quarters of netball, there was devastation they could not claim the full four points.

“It was just disappointing because we had actually played a great game against a top team like Hepburn but couldn’t come away with the win,” she said.

“I’m ecstatic we played the four quarters out; most people would not have expected that to happen. It felt like a loss though, it really did.”

Given the Magpies’ struggles in the A-grade competition in recent years, Gaynor said the round one result showed some great signs for the season ahead.

Maddi Davis was a clear best-on-court performer from goal defence, while Alicia Panozzo slotted in seamlessly after half-time, making a step up from the C-grade side last year.

Meanwhile, the other games from the weekend followed script.

Reigning premier Skipton was far too good for Rokewood-Corindhap to win by 34 goals, while last year’s runner-up Springbank snuck home by six goals against Dunnstown.

Other teams to get on the winners’ list in round one were Beaufort, Bungaree, Learmonth, Waubra, Ballan and Smythesdale, which had its first win more than a season.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au