The Cobar Netball Association’s Senior Ladies competition has a new talking point after Smash Ups pulled off a stunning 56-48 victory over previously unbeaten ladder leaders Divas in Friday night’s Round 6 clash at the Ward Oval courts.
The result avenged Smash Ups’ heavy 56-36 Round 1 defeat to Divas and handed the competition front-runners their first loss of the season.
Divas looked set to continue their winning ways after opening up an 18-15 lead at the first break in Friday’s game.
However, Smash Ups had other ideas.
A dominant second quarter turned the match on its head, with Smash Ups piling on the goals to take a 32-28 advantage going into half time.
They refused to surrender that lead, and maintained their four-goal buffer throughout the third term before finishing strongly in the final quarter to stretch the margin to eight goals and seal the 56-48 upset.
Smash Ups’ sharp-shooter Nikki Gilbert shared the match’s Best & Fairest points with teammate Brianna Watson, while Divas’ Rhylee Patterson was also a stand-out player in Friday’s top of the table game.
Bridgette Negfeldt (Smash Ups) and Corinne McLeod (Divas) collected their teams’ Sportsmanship awards.
Broughton Ballers also had a successful night on Friday, making a strong start in their Round 6 game against Trial N Error before cruising to a convincing 33-20 victory at fulltime.
Sam Chittenden and Myah Sullivan shared the Best & Fairest points for Broughton Ballers alongside Trial N Error’s Georgia Baker.
Chittenden and Baker also earned the Sportsmanship awards.
The remaining Round 6 fixture did not go ahead, with ATC Angels awarded the competition points after Last Minute Legends forfeited the match.
In Round 7 games this Friday night, the game to watch will be the match-up between Broughton Ballers and ATC Angels, which should produce the closest game of the round.
In other Round 7 games, Divas take on Trial N Error and Last Minute Legends will be up against the in-form Smash Ups.
