Sport
31 August, 2023
Saints into grand final after thriller
EDENHOPE Apsley will defend their Horsham District netball A Grade premiership after claiming a thrilling victory over Laharum at North Park on Saturday. The Saints made their way after a pulsalting 51-49 goal victory in a game that provided plenty...
EDENHOPE Apsley will defend their Horsham District netball A Grade premiership after claiming a thrilling victory over Laharum at North Park on Saturday.
The Saints made their way after a pulsalting 51-49 goal victory in a game that provided plenty of momentum shifts as the two sides went at each other to the final whistle.
Early, it was the Demons who made a strong start in the opening stanza when they set up a six goal lead at quarter time and looked set to build on their early work.
But the Saints roared back into the match with a dominant second term that saw them turn their deficit into a three-goal lead at half time when they shot 19 goals to 10.
Another attacking quarter during the third saw the Demons take back the lead, all be it a slender one goal advantage, but showed they were in the fight to the end.
And it was just that, a power struggle to the final whistle as the teams traded goals from end to end with some potent play through the midcourt to set up scoring chances.
With the lead changing hands on several occasions, it was the Saints who finally prevailed when they gained a vital turnover and opened up a two goal break which they held onto at the final whistle.
A strong team performance from all players from both sides was highlighted by Saints pair Emily Burgess and Sacha McDonald who enjoyed a great battle with Caitlin Story and Maddison Iredell who teamed well for the Demons.
McDonald topped her game with 24, while Story was strong under the ring to finish with a game-high 36 goals.
Laharum will now face Rupanyup in the preliminary final after the Panthers dominated their semi-final with Noradjuha-Quantong on Sunday.
The Panthers dominated from the opening whistle and never let the Bombers into the contest, leading by seven at quarter time before extending their lead to 13 at the main break.
Maintaining the rage, the Panthers went further ahead with some strong play through the midcourt and some accurate shooting during the third term and by the final change had opened up a 20 goal advantage.
The final term saw the Panthers maintain its control adding 11 goals to 10 to claim a powerful 58-37 goal victory with Georgia Kramm and coach Georgia Hiscock teaming well to control play through the court.
Shooter Zanaiya Bergen shot a game-high 36 goals and teamed well with Bianca Drum who finished with 22.
For the Bombers, Kate Cameron and Georgia Lowe worked hard to match their opponents with Lowe topping her game with 20 goals.
Tomorrow’s preliminary final will see Laharum and Rupanyup clash to meet the reigning premier in the grand final.
Last week’s semi-final results
A Grade: Edenhope Apsley 51 d Laharum 49; Rupanyup 58 d Noradjuha Quantong 37.
B Grade: Kaniva Leeor United 39 d Edenhope Apsley 32; Noradjuha Quantong 33 d Swifts 24.
C Grade: Kaniva Leeor United d Edenhope Apsley 23; Pimpinio 32 d Natimul United 30.
C Reserve: Edenhope Apsley 30 d Laharum 25; Kaniva Leeor United 36 d Pimpinio 25.
17 & Under: Jeparit Rainbow 25 d Natimuk United 24; Taylors Lake 35 d Harrow Balmoral 33.
15 & Under: Jeparit Rainbow 37 d Natimuk United 33; Edenhope Apsley 32 d Noradjuha Quantong 28.
13 & Under: Laharum 30 d Kalkee 21; Natimuk United 29 d Rupanyup 27.