GRFNL Netball Semi-Final Review | Murrabit marks three wins in netball semis

BY NATHAN DOLE

MURRABIT marked three victories in Saturday’s second semi-finals in the Golden Rivers FNL netball action at Ultima.

The Blues advanced to the A-grade grand final after a 56-45 win against Macorna.

A 16-7 opening term put Murrabit in control.

Macorna hit back to win the second, 15-11, but the Blues outscored the Tigers in the next two quarters, 15-10 and 14-13.

At the final whistle, Murrabit led 56-45.

Goalers for Murrabit were Montana Keating, 32; and Grace Gillingham, 23.

The Tigers’ attack was led by Asela Finch, 24; and Emmalea Wishart, 21.

In B-grade, Murrabit won a closely-fought clash with Moulamein by four goals.

The Swans led 20-16 at half-time, but Murrabit fired up to dominate most of the third quarter.

Going into the final term, Murrabit led 30-26.

Both teams scored eight goals in the last as the Blues claimed a 38-34 victory.

Murrabit’s leading goaler was Jo Danson on 18.

Goalers for the Swans were Megan Starick, 17; and Jorja Henery, 16.

Hay won a high-scoring B-reserve match against Ultima.

The Lions led 15-14 at quarter-time and 34-31 by the long break.

Quarter three was when Hay seized control.

The Lions doubled Ultima’s tally of nine goals in the third.

At a quarter to play, Hay led 52-40.

The last went the Lions’ way, 14-13, to clinch a 66-53 victory.

Goales for Hay included Trish Jamieson, 25; and Leonnie Laracy, 2.

Ultima’s attack was led by Zoe Benfield, 33; and Ebony Bull, 20.

In the 17-and-under competition, Ultima scored a 36-goal win against Hay.

The Kangaroos led 12-9 at quarter-time and dominated the second term as it scored 19 goals and held the Lions to a tally of 10.

Ultima won the next two quarters, 16-5 and 22-9 for a 69-33 result.

Molly McGowan and Finlay Hender were in hot form as they scored 39 and 30 goals for Ultima.

In the 14-and-under second semi-final, Murrabit won three of four quarters in a 44-31 victory.

The Blues led 11-10 at quarter-time and 23-14 by the long break.

Ultima hit back to win the third term, 11-10, but Murrabit finished strongly to win the last, 11-6, and the match, 44-31.

Preliminary finals will be played next Saturday at Macorna.

A-grade at 12.15pm: Macorna v Moulamein.

B-grade at 1.30pm: Moulamein v Macorna.

B-reserve at 2.45pm: Ultima v Murrabit.

17-and-under at 11am: Hay v Wandella.

14-and-under at 9.45am: Ultima v Hay.

Grand final day is on September 16 at Murrabit Recreation Reserve.