Netball grand final games were both thrillers

The Pumpettes team of Simone Knight, Zoe Carter, Emma Barton, Kelly Leonard, Jayme Francisco, Renee Matheson, Kelly Fairbank, Ellie Russell and Jo Carter were winners of the Women’s Indoor Netball A Grade grand final on Monday night at the youth centre.
The Pumpettes team of Simone Knight, Zoe Carter, Emma Barton, Kelly Leonard, Jayme Francisco, Renee Matheson, Kelly Fairbank, Ellie Russell and Jo Carter were winners of the Women’s Indoor Netball A Grade grand final on Monday night at the youth centre.

The Women’s Indoor Netball competition at the youth centre came to an end on Monday night with two thrilling grand final games played.

Pumpettes came from behind to beat Nets Top Model 38-35 in A Grade while Sharpe Shooters won their see-sawing match against the Council Babes, 29-27.

Nets Top Model started their A Grade game very confidently on Monday night and quickly raced away to a 14-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Pumpettes then injected their secret weapon (or perhaps not so secret weapon) with Renee Matheson taking the court to play Goal Attack.

In addition to being a sensational shooter, Matheson has the ability to inject her team with enthusiasm and confidence.

She helped to turn the game around and it was the Pumpettes who lead 19-18 at the half time break.

Nets Top Model regained some of their confidence in the third quarter and their high lob passes into shooter Nikki Gilbert found their mark every time.

Gilbert, along with Lauren Urquhart, converted every opportunity they got into points and by the end of the third quarter the scores were locked at 26-all.

Pumpettes’ Goal Shooter Emma Barton served her team well and kept improving as the game went on (which earned her the Player of the Grand Final award). Together Barton and Matheson pushed the score out to a six goals lead in the late stages of the match.

To their credit, Nets Top Model rallied but their more experienced opposition held out to win 38-35.

The lead constantly changed in the B Grade game between Sharpe Shooters and Council Babes.

Council Babes started well and were four goals ahead, 6-2, at the first break.

Sharpe Shooters (who had a crowded bench of keen substitutes) found their groove in the second quarter to take an narrow 11-10 lead at half time before they later relinquished it and trailed 17-19 at the end of the third quarter.

Sharpe Shooters however finished strongly to grab a thrilling two goals win, 29-27.

Council Babes were well served by their Centre Corrina Brenton who directed traffic all game which helped to earn her the Player of the Grand Final honour.