After narrowly losing their match last week and missing out on the easy run to the 2016 A Grade netball grand final, the Pumpettes made the most of their second chance on Saturday and won the final against the Opens.
Still smarting after their one goal loss to Divas last week, the Pumpettes were keen to get back on track to the grand final and were favourites going into the match against the Opens who were struggling to field a full side.
The Opens started with just six players and knew the match was going to be a difficult one. The game had barely started (just 40 seconds into the match) when Pumpettes lost key player Brooke Brown with a calf injury.
Renee Matheson subbed on and, while her mobility wasn’t at her usual 110 per cent after recent surgery, her shooting accuracy was still very good.
However it took almost five minutes of play before the first goal of the match was scored, and it was the Opens who put first points on the score sheet.
Pumpettes replied soon after.
Matheson was linking well with Goal Attack Emma Brown (who stepped up to play a more dominant role this week) and they helped the Pumpettes to an 11-5 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
The Opens’ coach then joined her team on the court and by half time they trailed by just one goal.
With plenty of height in their side, the Pumpettes dominated both ends of the court and Opens’ shooters Zoë Harland and Briana Francisco were forced to shoot from long range.
Luckily both were in great form and they kept the Opens in the match with just three the difference going into the final quarter.
A late ankle injury to Opens’ defender Alex Hernandez put her out of the match and Pumpettes pulled away to win 41-35.
Pumpettes will now play Divas in this Saturday’s grand final.
Hot Shots won their chance for a crack at the B Grade title after their comprehensive 38-23 win over OMG on Saturday in their B Grade major semi final.
Both sides were missing key players however Hot Shots’ centre court line-up remained the same, which has been a key to their success this season. Hot Shots led 12-6 at the end of the first quarter and strong play by Rebecca Moore at Goal Keeper limited OMG’s scoring opportunities.
Hot Shots extended the margin to eight goals at half time and finished with a 15 point win.
OMG was well served by sisters Bianca Walsh and Kiera Mackay along with their Goal Shooter Chloe Ward.
Hot Shots will this Saturday take on a red hot Mystics team in the B Grade grand final.
