The Mount Gambier Netball Association semi-finals delivered with a round of close, hard fought matches on Saturday.

Both A Grade matches were nail-biters, but the Hobitz v Intruders stole the show.

Hobitz went into this game undefeated, up against a determined Intruders line-up.

Each side played a close defensive game with all movements around the court being heavily guarded by defenders.

Shooting was accurate from both sides with any missed shot at goal picked up and returned to the opposite end of the court.

It was a fast game from the start and continued for the game as scores were level at the first two breaks before Intruders took a one-goal lead into the last quarter.

However, a sad injury to Intruders’ star-goalie Tash Moreland saw the teams swap courts.

After an exciting climax, Hobitz regained the lead and took a 59 to 52 goal win.

On the other court, Saints came up against a strong Amazons side.

With accuracy costing Saints on the books, Amazons were working hard and finding the ring well.

Players were under close defensive work all over the court throughout the game with mistimed passes picked off.

Saints moved the ball with speed across the mid court with their defenders backing up all the way.

At the final whistle, Saints took the win 36 to 30 to come back next week and play Intruders.

Hobitz and Intruders played a tough game in their A2 match with both sides working overtime in every position.

This game came down to accuracy when shooting and passing while defensive work was tough to get past for both sides.

Intruders started the game fast, forcing Hobitz to play catch up for the game.

Hobitz almost snatched the win, but Intruders held on by two goals.

Hobitz will come back next week to play Saints, while Intruders will use the week to recover and work on tactics for the grand final.

Saints on the other hand had an easier game up against Zodiacs.

Work all over the court from both sides was pushed to the limit with the Saints defenders applying some great pressure, which allowed them to make multiple interceptions.

Shooting space was closed down, forcing the Zodiacs players to move more and work harder to get close to the ring.

Saints’ attackers worked well with their accuracy increasing as the game progressed.

Saints won the match 54 to 20, which sees them head into the preliminary final next week.

The B1 teams this week showed that they also have what it takes to play a strong and consistent game.

Hobitz Blue and Zodiacs played off for a grand final berth, in what turned out to be a strong game for the Zodiacs side.

Strong shooting saw them take a 33 to 26 goal win over Hobitz Blue.

Amazons and Intruders Black matched up in what was another great game to witness.

Leads and passing all over the court saw Amazons have a great second and fourth quarter.

Shooting was accurate and pressure on all passes saw them take a 32 to 25 goal win.

The passion was evident in the B2 games this week with the game between Saints and Vicis played at a fast pace.

Vicis came out fast from the first whistle with strong leads and fast movements of the ball with passing precise and accurate.

Saints’ tough defence work all game saw them pick up multiple interceptions and rebounds from any missed shots at goal.

At the final whistle, Saints took the win 41 to 28 and have the week off before the grand final, while Vicis will match up against Zodiacs next week.

Hobitz and Zodiacs played off in a slower game in which both sides played a focused and controlled game.

Defence was high for the game from Hobitz with Zodiacs goalies utilizing their height advantage well.

By the final whistle Zodiacs had turned the lead around to take a 29 – 28 goal win.

Her teamwork and consistency being high for the game.

Sister sides Hobitz Red and Hobitz Blue played off in the Under 17s division in what was always going to be a tough game for the Blue players up against a focused Red team.

Strong shooting pushed Hobitz Red to a commanding lead.

After a strong first quarter, Saints lead was slowly reduced as the game progressed.

This is a credit to the work from the Intruders side.

Sadly, we say goodbye to Saints with Intruders progressing to the preliminary final next week.

Saints and Zodiacs Gold played off in the Under 15s elimination final in what could only be described as a close game all the way.

Strong passes and leads from both sides saw the lead switch teams at various time throughout the game.

Strong and consistent shooting and great mid court work saw both teams contest every pass.

At the end of the game Zodiacs Gold took the win 28 to 22.

Under 15 games were also tough.

Zodiacs Blue took on Intruders in the major semi-final, with the results not really showing the play on the court.

Zodiacs Blue were the more focused team in the game with their shooting and defensive work shining through.

Intruders appeared to be a little dazzled by their opposition seeing them make many unforced errors and miss shots at goal.

Zodiacs Blue head straight to the grand final while Intruders will play again next week up against Zodiacs Gold.

Spectators came out of the woodworks to watch the juniors this week and it was a fantastic way to celebrate the young players making finals.

The 13A sides showed that anything can happen in finals.

After a strong match in regular time, Zodiacs were level with Saints and played on in extra time.

Play in the extra time period was strong with players forced to dig deep to play that bit more.

Tired legs were starting to show with a few errors creeping into the games.

After the time had run out, Saints had stepped ahead for the first time in the game to take a three-goal win, with the team heading straight to the grand final with Zodiacs coming back next week to play Hobitz.

Hobitz and Vicis played off in the elimination semi-final played at a little slower pace with players again working hard to maintain control of the ball.

Hobitz started strong and were moving well around the court with their defenders picking up rebounds and gaining interceptions in the ring.

Vicis were caught a little off guard with the pace at which Hobitz moved the ball back down the court.

The work from the Hobitz team showed their passion for the win and commitment to their side, in a great game from the young team.

At the end of the game Hobitz took the win 25 to 14.

The 13B teams played two close games with the match between Intruders and Hobitz Blue going down to three goals, in a great game for the top two teams.

Amazons accounted for Vicis with a six-goal win in what was also a close encounter all over the court.