Preliminary Final

  Football  

Our only Football team to feature on Saturday was the Reserve team keen to book a spot in the Grand Final. After a Round 16 loss to Hay, our lads were keen to start well. As conditions go, they were tough. However, our players were able to adapt and move the ball forward to score into a breeze. Simon Ettershank was tremendous down back early to stop many of Hay’s forward entries. As the game progressed our midfield began to take over and ensure we had some great forward passages. Matt Davies, Darcy Hetherington, Brett McCombe and Riley Carse all asserted their stamp on the game, and we began to take control. The game finished with a strong margin and our boys locked in for a crack at Ultima in the Grand Final.

  Netball  

In the netball, our mission today was to get our 3 remaining sides through to the Grand Final in Hay along with our 14’s, B and A grade. Whilst we were only successful in one grade, it was a day full of great match ups and thrilling netball to watch. Congratulations to all our teams who made it this far.

Under 17s were up first and took on Hay who have been a tough and competitive team all season. The Lions came out strong and were in front by 5 at the end of the first quarter. Macy and Emily were able shoot accurately in windy conditions, while Maddi had to work smart at the other end of the court to pressure Hay’s goalies. By half time, Hay’s lead grew but our girls continued to fight. Belle was able to direct and assist her teammates in the midcourt before Lexi rolled on with fresh legs and Milla was able to dodge and move freely in the goal circle. In the third quarter, we had Georgia and Alison continue to apply pressure to Hay’s attack and limit their opportunities into the goal ring. Hay played another strong quarter and took the win, ending our Grand Final dream. Well done girls on a great season.

In the B Res, Ultima came out firing from the first whistle and we were playing catch up. Our goal ring was full of height and precise goalies with Jordyn and Sadie on the job, often fed by Taylah or Bubs with their perfectly placed feeds. We were able to come back within 3 goals of Ultima in the second quarter thanks to the hard work from our defenders Nic, Sharni and Jo. Maddi rolled onto the court and made an impact in WD, pressuring her opponent and keeping them from positioning around the goal ring. In the third and fourth quarters it was goal for goal, and we managed to get back in front thanks to Hannah’s determination and timely intercepts, but it was Ultima that were able to push through and earn their ticket to the Grand Final. A great effort girls.

Everything was riding on our last netball game of the day and C Grade were able to bring it all the way home. We had a strong first quarter, leading by 6 goals over Hay with our defenders Jo and Maddi in fine form for their second and third game of the day. Coach Ria and Lyla were able to shoot and rebound (on the rare occasion it was needed) perfectly in gusty conditions. Our lead continued to grow in the second and third quarters with our mid court attackers Nic and Jess providing great leads down the court and Tori and Tegan were crucial in defence and assisting to bring the ball down to our attackers. In the final quarter, our lead grew to 13 goals and our chance at participating in the Grand Final became reality. Well done girls!