Netball
25 August, 2024
Kees out class Saints in HDFNL elimination final, now face rivals, Rupanyup
Kalkee advances in HDFNL netball finals after second-half surge.
Kalkee showed its class during its resounding win against Edenhope-Apsley in the Horsham District Football Netball League's A-grade elimination final on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
With a sizeable crowd watching at the Pimpinio Recreation Reserve, the Kees played four quarters of high-calibre netball to claim the 52-36 victory.
It was a tale of two games in many ways, with the Saints showing why it won five of its past six games.
Saint goal shooter Tahlia Sailor battled hard with Lotus Martin, while at the other end, Kees' Jarrah Martin wrestled with Rebecca Heath.
Nothing could separate the teams at halftime, with a 23-all scoreline at the main break.
However, a composed Kalkee upped the ante in the second half, doubling the Saints scoring output 29-13.
Coach Paula Wiedermann praised her players for rising to the occasion in the second half.
"The girls are strong and fit, and I knew they could give it a four solid quarters," Wiedermann said.
"For us, it was just maintaining control over the game... and capitalizing on turnovers.
"The rolling subs is absolutely fantastic [for the competition], especially given the warmer weather we had today."
Despite having a young squad, Wiedermann said her side was able to maintain composure when the Saints players were looking to increase the tempo of play.
"A Grade netball can be quite fast, so it's important to have the ability to be able to swap between fast and slow games," she said.
Martin top scored with 30 goals for the Kees at 75 per cent accuracy, while Jenna Bywaters added 22 goals for at 79 per cent.
Lavinia Fox was the Saints main goal scorer with 20 goals (64%) and Sailor scored 14 (70%).
Kalkee now turns its attention to Rupanyup for the semi-final on Sunday, September 1, at the Panther's home ground.
The Panthers defeated Kaniva-Leeor United 64-38 in the first elimination final on Saturday, August 24, 2024.
Harrow-Balmoral won a thrilling B grade elimination final against Noradjuha-Quantong.
The Bombers came out firing, establishing an impressive nine-goal lead at the main break, 24-15.
However, the Southern Roos battled back and outscored its neighbours 11-4 to draw level at the final break.
With momentum on their side, Harrow-Balmoral pushed ahead to score the 46-42 win.
Natimuk United won by the smallest margin in the C Grade.
The Rams had to claw back from a two goal deficit to establish a five goal lead the at final break.
Wile the Tigers scored 11 goals in testing conditions, it fell one goal short, going down 32-31.
Courtney Cameron scored 18 goals for Natimuk United while Maree Thompson was valliant with 22 goals for Pimpinio.
In the final game of the day, Natimuk United defeated the Swifts 22-16.
Tylah Anson scored 17 goals for the Rams, while Tania Crawford was named in the Baggies best for her seven goals.
In the junior games, Edenhope Apsley's under-17 squad claimed a memorable 40-29 victory against Natimuk United.
The Rams faithful watched three junior finals games in a row and were in full voice when the young team got off to a flier and established a seven-goal lead through slick midcourt passing and accurate shooting.
However, the Saints remained poised, outscoring the Rams and drawing level seconds before halftime.
With a strong crowd, including the A Grade squad, rallying behind them, Edenhope Apsley played with confidence.
They established a formidable 10-goal lead at the final break before winning by 11 goals.
Isabel Payne was dominant, moving from centre to goal attack midway through the first quarter; she scored 23 goals, while Isabel Bourne added 16.
Emma Uebergang scored 23 goals for the Rams.
Natimuk United's under-15s team defeated Pimpinio 35-34 in a fiercely contested game.
Both sides came out swinging, scoring at a high rate in the opening quarter before the Rams established a slight lead in the second quarter.
The sides traded goals for much of the game until the Tigers scored four unanswered goals to go into the final break at 26-26.
With momentum on their side, Pimpinio looked to seize the game with a two-goal lead; however, Natimuk United slowly chipped away to bring the scores level with minutes to go.
A turnover mid-court gave the Rams possession, and with seconds remaining, they took the lead.
Emma Uebergang scored 24 goals for the victors, while Adele Joseph and Charley Ward scored 17 each for the Tigers.
In the day's first game, Laharum scored an upset against Natimuk United in the under 13sw, winning 21-15.
It was a defensive fight from the first whistle as both sides devoured any loose passes.
A Rams' first-quarter lead was nullified by halftime.
The Demons took control of the game in the latter half, outscoring the higher-ranked opposition 14-8.
After starting the game at wing defence, Stephanie Plazzer was the game's highest scorer with 16 goals.
Zarnie Sudholz was the Ram's best shooter with 12 goals.