IN a gripping grand final, Diamond Creek 1 claimed the Northern Netball League Section 1 premiership against North Heidelberg 1 with a score of 60-59.
The Creekers opened up an early advantage – one they were able to hold on to throughout the match, despite a determined comeback by North Heidelberg.
Whilst both sides were fast and determined to hold possession of the ball, North Heidelberg’s impressive speed shone throughout the third quarter, creating an increase in goals and putting the team behind Diamond Creek by only one goal.
As Diamond Creek’s GA Stacey Gannon scored most of the goals for the team, North Heidelberg’s GK Lauren Byrnes and GD Ebony Heers were quick to intercept passes and caught all rebounds, allowing their team to get the ball down the court and into their goal circle.
It wasn’t enough however to take the lead for the match and Diamond Creek claimed the challenging grand final victory by the smallest possible margin.
Bronwyn Taylor was best afield for Diamond Creek, who claimed a sixth-successive Section 1 premiership win – a truly remarkable feat.
The club has now won seven of the eight Section 1 premierships since the Northern Netball League commenced in 2008.
Watsonia 1 triumphed in the Section 2 grand final against South Morang 1 with a score of 37-30.
South Morang remained in the lead throughout the first three quarters of the match. However, the final quarter is what got the crowd cheering in excitement as Watsonia fought back and broke South Morang’s six-goal lead.
With 13 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Watsonia drew level on a score of 26 goals apiece.
Extra time was required, where Watsonia was quick to gain the lead, putting them ahead of South Morang by one goal at the end of the first half of extra time.
The Saints took control of the match in the second half of extra time, streaking clear to a seven-goal lead to claim the premiership.
Rhiannon Maxwell was adjudged best on court for Watsonia.
Whittlesea 2 claimed the title in the Section 3 grand final, winning with a score of 41-22 against St Mary’s 1.
Whittlesea remained in the lead from the first quarter and claimed most possession of the ball throughout the match.
Despite taking the long route to the grand final, Whittlesea held an advantage right throughout the premiership decider and went on to win by 19 goals.
Angel Mann was adjudged the Eagles’ best player in the victory to claim the best on court medallion.
Greensborough 3 defeated Lalor 1 in the Section 4 grand final, winning by two goals with a score of 31-29.
Greensborough worked quickly to claim possession of the ball with GS Thea Nicolaou and GA Jess Davis scoring the opening goals of the match.
Lalor fought back however and held a lead for much of the opening three quarters. An intercept to Greensborough’s centre pass created a turnover and allowed Lalor to gain a four-goal lead in the third term.
However, efficient interceptions by Greensborough’s WD Emma Hannig and WA Jorji Burke, allowed the team to score nine goals in the final quarter, taking a lead for the first time since the first quarter and allowing the Boro to go on to claim the grand final triumph.
Thea Nicolaou won the medallion for best on court.
Meanwhile, Hurstbridge 1 celebrated victory with a 24-17 win against North Heidelberg 3 in the Section 5 netball grand final.
Whilst North Heidelberg’s defensive performance shined through and remained throughout the entire match, Hurstbridge was constant to stay in attack with interceptions and remained ahead in goals, creating a seven-goal lead in the last quarter.
Hurstbridge’s Millie Barden put in a strong performance and was adjudged best on court while Jen Livaditis was also a strong performer in the win.
