A GRADE – Millicent 65 d West Gambier 59

The 2022 Western Border Netball Association qualifying semi-final loomed as a tight contest and it did not disappoint as both Millicent and West Gambier put on a high-quality performance.

Both sides were rarely separated by more than a handful of goals, aside from a golden run from Saints late in the third and early in the last but the Roos still threatened late.

It was West that earned the early mini break and held a three-goal lead for much of the first quarter, that ended up tied at 16 apiece at the first break.

In typical finals fashion, neither side was able to play its free-flowing style of netball as the defensive pressure, all over the court, meant patience with ball in hand was the order of the day.

Demi Verbena started with a flurry as she took total control of the attacking end for Millicent, working hard outside the circle but also using her speed on the front cut to either earn a shot herself or open the back space for Tabatha Sanderson.

At the other end, the strong driving from Tara Bryant was causing headaches and Lisa McGregor was also playing offensive architect as she worked to open opportunities for Sarah Ritter and was on target netting 13 from 14.

Sanderson and Verbena were also ‘on song’ with 16 from 18 as a combination.

The second quarter followed a similar script as every player was committed to working ‘one-on-one’ to deny their opponent time and space.

Verbena continued her hard running and accurate finishing, while Ritter and McGregor had a perfect shooting quarter to see the margin at one at half time in favour of the Saints.

McRae and Paige Nitschke started to really shut down the space and started to not only force some errors in delivery but also took some risks and pulled in critical interceptions, while Lillie Paul and Lisa Duldig also applied more pressure to the feeders and the momentum started to shift all in favour of Millicent.

Nitschke, as she had all game, was hitting the circle hard and connecting well with Verbena and Sanderson and it was the tall Saints shooter’s most productive quarter, converting 13 from 14 as Millicent took a nine-goal lead into the final quarter.

However, the Roos were not done with yet and they started to ramp up the pressure and created some turnover ball, getting the scoreboard back to as close as five goals before the Saints rallied and held on for a six-goal victory and the first spot in the grand final.

West now faces the reigning premiers East Gambier for a return bout with the Saints.

Verbena and Sanderson were impressive for the victors, while Paul, in her first A Grade final, showed great determination to not only apply relentless defensive pressure at wing defence but also driving hard in offence.

Ritter was again a strong target for West while Bryant’s hard running was also pivotal.

A RESERVE Millicent 56 d East 41

In the end it came down to the Saints first half where they came out firing determined to enter the 2022 Western Border A Reserve Grand Final.

The Saints were relentless in their defensive pressure right from the first whistle with Annelise Janssen shooting 15 out of 15 in the first quarter to take control of the match.

East’s Casey Horrigan worked hard and tried to create space in the attacking third but the relentless pressure from Alice Pratt and Jo Wilson ensured the Saints went into the first break with a six-goal lead.

The second quarter was played at a fast pace with the speed of Daisy Tunkin and Jackie Sunderland being a highlight to build their advantage.

Jansen continued to be the most dominant scorer on the court shooting 17/18 for the third quarter.

The Bulldogs were able to outscore the Saints by two goals, but the damage had been done in the first half and the score line was 15 at the end of the match.

B GRADE North 48 d Millicent 47

In another match of the day, it was North Gambier who prevailed by one goal to advance to the 2022 B Grade Grand Final.

The Tigers started strong in attack scoring quickly off their centre pass to find Ashleigh Ashby who shot 10 out of 11 for the quarter.

She was well fed by Georgia McInemey and Amelia Redman, while Caitlyn Shanks and Krystal Coghlan applied defensive pressure for the Saints.

However it was North able to go into the first break two goals ahead.

The second quarter was another evenly matched quarter with both sides going goal for goal and Ashby continuing to dominate and shoot accurately.

Tiarna Verbena ran hard for the Saints through the mid-court and connected with Jackie Matthews but the Tigers were still up by four goals.

The Saints came out firing after half time with Kodi Lucas entering the match at goal defence, she created hesitation in the North attack line and was well supported by Laylah Baker to give their side more scoring opportunities.

Jemma Hayward had her best quarter and the Saints closed the gap to be two goals down at the final break.

But it was Bri Fuller that was able to keep scoring and lead North to the Grand Final.

C GRADE East 44 d Millicent 24

East Gambier have dominated the second semi-final defeating Millicent by 20 goals to advance straight into the decider.

The match started well with both teams scoring evenly and with both sides applying tight defensive pressure.

Shannon James and Eryn Caruso worked overtime to stop Claudia Pratt and Sapphire Sims, however it was the Bulldogs who were able to go into the quarter time break three goals in front.

The third quarter was where East built its match winning lead with the shooting duo unstoppable to open a 15-goal lead at the final change.

The last quarter was all the Bulldogs as the Saints were outclassed by a well drilled outfit.