Murrabit earns grand final showdown with Nullawil
MURRABIT has earned a chance at A-grade netball premiership glory by beating Macorna in the Golden Rivers Football Netball League’s preliminary final.
There were closely-fought contest across Saturday’s action at Wandella Recreation Reserve.
A low-scoring first term in the A-grade match ended with Murrabit in front, 6-5.
Attacks of both teams fired up in the second which Murrabit won, 11-9, to hold a 17-14 lead at the main break.
The Macorna Tigers worked hard to be within a goal going into the last term, but it was Murrabit which finished strongly.
Murrabit added 14 goals in the last and held the Tigers to just four.
At the final whistle, Murrabit led 39-28.
The Murrabit attack was led by Grace Gillingham, 22 goals; and Lauren Morrow, 17.
Goalscorers for Macorna were Emmalea Wishart, 17; Emmerson Simpson, 6; and Brielle O’Meara, 5.
Beaten just once in the home-and-away series, Murrabit went down 28-42 in the second semi-final showdown with Nullawil.
It will be a rematch of the second semi-finalists in this Saturday’s grand final at Nullawil Recreation Reserve.
The B-grade preliminary final ended in a 30-26 win for Nullawil against Moulamein.
After a confident start, Moulamein led 10-6 at quarter-time, but Nullawil hit back to make it 13-all by half-time.
An 8-7 result in the third term meant Moulamein led 21-20 going into the final quarter.
It was Nullawil which lifted to win the term, 10-5, and move to the season decider after a 30-26 result.
Goalscorers for Nullawil were Holly Fawcett, 19; and Jacki Watts, 11.
Moulamein’s attack was led by Megan Starick, 15; and Rhiann O’Meara, 11.
The previous meeting between grand finalists Murrabit and Nullawil was the second semi which Murrabit won 36-31.
The B-reserve preliminary final was dominated after quarter-time by Nullawil.
At the first break, Nullawil led Hay 10-5 and then won the next three quarters – 14-2, 11-5 and 10-8 – to claim a 45-20 victory.
Goalscorers for Nullawil were Lizzy McGrath, 25; and Joanne Scott, 20.
Hay’s attack was led by Trish Jamieson on 16 goals.
The previous clash between grand finalists, Nullawil and Murrabit, ended in a 38-28 win for Murrabit in the second semi and a week’s rest.
It was a one-goal thriller in the 17-and-under preliminary final between Nullawil and Macorna.
The Nullawil team was on the rebound from a 37-24 loss to Ultima in the second semi.
The Nullawil line-up led 9-4 at quarter-time of the preliminary final and 14-12 by the main break.
Macorna Tigers fought back strongly to win the third term, 9-7, as scores were locked on 21-all going into the last quarter.
The Tiger Army was in full cry as Macorna fought for a 29-28 victory.
Ultima outscored Macorna in three of four quarters as it won the 14-and-under preliminary final.
The Ultima line-up led 16-8 at quarter-time before Macorna hit back to win the second term, 14-12.
A six-goal lead for Ultima at the main break became eight by the last change.
Ultima led 40-32 at the start of the final quarter and went on to claim a 51-41 victory.
The first of four Nullawil teams to play on grand final day will be in the 14-and-under match against Ultima.
It was a 60-40 victory for Nullawil in the second semi on Quambatook’s court.
Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at Nullawil Recreation Reserve:
14-and-under at 9.45am: Nullawil v Ultima.
17-and-under at 10.45am: Ultima v Macorna.
B-grade at 1.45pm: Murrabit v Nullawil.
A-grade at 12.15pm: Nullawil v Murrabit.
B-reserve at 3.15pm: Murrabit v Nullawil.
Written by Nathan Dole.
Photo Credit – Macorna FNC Facebook
