SWDFNL – Netball preliminary finals
THE Coleraine cheer squad will be out in force at Melville Oval this weekend, the Maroons taking the court in four of the seven South West District Football Netball League grand finals.
Last weekend the A Grade, A Reserve and C Grade sides fast-tracked to the final showdowns in a weekend of nail-biters and on Saturday, the 17 & Unders sealed the deal with a six-goal win in the prelim.
Cavendish will also be well-represented on Saturday, with three sides looking to claim flags.
A Grade
COLERAINE’S Maroons will face Tyrendarra in this weekend’s South West District Football Netball League A Grade grand final, the Darras putting on a strong display against Heywood in Saturday’s prelim at Heathmere.
The match started evenly, with Tyrendarra holding a slender 13 to 12-lead at the first break thanks to accurate shooting from Hannah van Gemst and Eliza Alexander.
Heywood’s Brianna Behsmann and Rhi Davis kept their side in touch with some composed finishing under pressure.
By half time, Tyrendarra had edged further ahead, 24 to 21, as defenders Amy Meulendyks and Litia McArdle worked tirelessly to shut down Heywood’s attacking drives.
The third quarter proved decisive.
With mid-courters Kate Merrett, Rani Kane and Amber Keane controlling the tempo, Tyrendarra piled on 18 goals to Heywood’s eight, taking a commanding 42 to 29 lead into the final break.
Despite the efforts of Heywood’s midcourt trio of Gabrielle Watson, Mia Melano and Jessica Lovett-Murray, along with defenders Tiarna Keegan and Tyleah Barr, the damage was done.
Tyrendarra finished strongly to record a 56 to 39 victory, securing their spot in the big dance.
A Reserve
WESTERNS has stormed into the A Reserve grand final with a commanding 10-goal victory over Heywood in the prelim.
A strong opening set the tone, with Westerns jumping out to a four-goal lead at quarter time.
They continued to build momentum through the second, stretching the margin to 12 to seven by the main break.
The third quarter proved pivotal, as Westerns’ defensive pressure and sharp attacking play saw them break the game open, taking an imposing nine-goal lead into the final change.
Despite Heywood’s efforts to claw back in the last term, Westerns held their composure to run out 24 to 14 winners.
The result sees Westerns book a spot in the grand final, where they will meet Coleraine in what promises to be a blockbuster showdown.
B Grade
BRANXHOLME Wallacedale has powered its way into the B Grade grand final with a strong 34 to 23 victory over Coleraine.
The Saints came out firing, racing to a 12 to six lead at the first break.
Their dominance continued in the second quarter, with slick ball movement and tight defensive pressure pushing the margin to 20 to nine at half time.
By three-quarter-time, Branxholme Wallacedale had one hand on the win, stretching their lead to 27 to 14.
Coleraine lifted in the final term but the Saints’ consistency saw them home comfortably, 34 to 23 at the final whistle.
The result books the Saints a spot in the B Grade grand final, where they will battle it out with Westerns for premiership glory.
C Grade
CAVENDISH has booked its place in the C Grade grand final after holding off a determined Westerns outfit to claim a hard-fought, three-goal win.
It was a low-scoring, tight start, with Cavendish edging ahead three goals to two at the first break, but by half time, the Bloods had found their rhythm in attack, pulling away to a 13 to seven lead.
Westerns fought back strongly in the third term, narrowing the margin to just four goals heading into the final quarter, 17 to 13.
The last quarter was a thriller as Westerns surged late, but Cavendish held their nerve to finish 20 to 17 winners.
Cavendish progresses to the grand final, taking on Coleraine for the C Grade premiership.
17 & Under
COLERAINE has earned its place in the 17 & Under grand final after defeating Heathmere, 30 to 24, in a hard-fought prelim.
The Maroons started strongly, edging ahead seven to five at the first break before extending their lead to 14 to nine by half-time, with confident shooting and disciplined defence.
Heathmere worked its way back into the contest in the third quarter, but Coleraine held firm to maintain a 22 to 17 advantage at the last change.
In the final term, Coleraine steadied under pressure and finished the stronger side, sealing a six-goal victory.
The win sets up a great grand final showdown against Cavendish, with the 17 & Under premiership crown on the line.
15 & Under
CAVENDISH has battled its way into the 15 & Under grand final after overcoming Dartmoor in a fast-paced preliminary final clash.
The opening quarter was evenly contested, with Cavendish edging ahead nine to seven, and by half time had extended the advantage to 15 to 12, showing great composure under pressure.
The third quarter proved decisive as Cavendish’s defenders tightened-up and their shooters found their range, pushing the margin out to five goals.
Dartmoor fought hard in the final term, but Cavendish held strong to seal a 27 to 22 victory.
The win sees Cavendish advance to the 2025 grand final, taking on Heywood in what promises to be an exciting battle for the premiership.
13 & Under
HEYWOOD’S young stars have marched into the 13 & Under grand final after holding off a determined Coleraine side in a thrilling prelim.
The opening quarter was a nail-biter, with Heywood just edging in front, six to five.
From there, the momentum swung Heywood’s way as their shooters found their range, pushing the lead out to 15 to nine at half time.
Coleraine showed plenty of fight after the break, rallying hard to close the gap to six goals at the final change, 22 to 16.
The last quarter had the crowd on edge as Coleraine came charging home, but Heywood’s composure under pressure proved the difference.
With a 26 to 22 victory, Heywood booked its place in next week’s grand final where the Lions will take on Heathmere in a clash that promises plenty of action.
