The preliminary final week of the Mount Gambier Netball Association had plenty of action with a brilliant match between Intruders and Saints in the A Grade and the a grand final berth on the line

Saints took an early lead in the game after a strong start with their goalies working and moving extremely well, while their defence was applying close defensive work and pressure.

Movements were restricted in the Intruders goal ring, forcing them to take longer to find easy shots at goal.

Saints went into the second quarter with a seven-goal lead, forcing Intruders to regroup quickly.

Accuracy had waned a little for Saints as they came into the next quarter, with the team up against strong defenders who shut down their opposition’s quick movements.

Intruders forced errors and gained some control during the quarter, with their mid court players again working hard to get the ball down to their goalies.

With hard work and determination, Intruders had reduced the lead to five goals.

The main break saw Intruders maintain their positions, while Saints took the chance and swapped goalies around and brought on fresh legs into defence. This unsettled the side at the start of the quarter and Intruders stepped up a notch to take more control of the game.

With scores level for the quarter, Saints came out in the last quarter with a burst of energy, but this was not lasting. Intruders on the other hand got a sniff of victory with their attack end stepping up and showing their new combinations worked well.

Accuracy increased from goalies and the feeding and passing from mid-court players provided a lift.

This led Intruders to take the lead late in the quarter. Unable to keep up with the new-found energy from the Intruders side, Saints went down by three goals, with Intruders moving into the grand finale.

The best players for Intruders were Emma Gilcrist and Kate Biszko, as Saints looked to Rhiannon Christian and Nicole Forrest.

Paige Carter also played her 350th game for Saints Netball Club.

The A2 match between Hobitz and Saints was always going to be a tough match to call with the defensive pressure high for the entire match. Goalies were challenged and spaces were closed all over the court.

With scores level at the first break, changes in the Saints goal ring saw them move more and work hard to get space under the ring.

The defensive work of Hobitz was high for the game while their mid-court runners were working overtime, making strong leads and playing a great back up game with their goalies converting well.

This allowed them to take a five-goal lead into the main break, with Hobbitz taking hold of the next quarter where they extended their lead to eight before starting the final quarter.

Hobitz took the game 40-30, with best players for Hobitz Ieshia Goldsmith and Zahlia Feast, whilst Saints looked to Kimmi Pratt and Nadia McLean.

The B1 match between Hobitz Blue and Amazons came down to control.

Unforced errors and mistimed passes from both sides left scores level at the first break, but the addition of changes from both sides saw Hobitz Blue settle quicker.

Defensive work was high at both ends with hands over the ball at any chance possible.

A strong third quarter helped Hobitz Blue towards the win.

Vicis and Zodiacs faced off for a spot in the B2 decider.

Despite having close quarters for the entire game, some fantastic interceptions kept the ladies in green ahead and they took the win.

Hobitz Red started with determination in the Under 17’s final with Intruders.

Defensive pressure from Hobitz Red was high all over the court, with the team’s mid-court players working hard to shutdown space through the middle of the court.

Intruders were working hard to get the ball into their goalies with multiple passes around the ring but a strong performance from Hobitz Red means they will meet their sister side in the grand final.

Intruders was the dominant side in the Under 15s preliminary final against Zodiacs Gold.

The team scored eight before Zodiacs were able to get off the mark and strong leads and spot on passing allowed them to move the ball quickly to their attackers.

Best players for Intruders were Dakota Verrity and Alysha Verrity, with Sarah Miller and Olivia White gaining the Zodiacs Gold awards.

In Under 13A’s Zodiacs and Hobitz were focused and determined to get into the grand final.

Zodiacs’ scoring was more accurate with their mid-court dominant during the game.

Under 13B was another tight match between Hobitz and Amazons, where errors turned the ball turn over many times.

It was a low scoring game from both sides, with each taking their time with shooting with the wind allowing the defenders to gain possession of rebounds.

The game went to Amazons, who beat Hobitz Blue 7-4.