Magpies cap unbeaten run to claim premiership glory

BY NATHAN DOLE

On the netball court, Lake Boga capped an unbeaten run to premiership glory.

The Magpies won every quarter on their way to a 40-28 victory against Swan Hill.

Sarah Hepburn scored 32 goals for Lake Boga as Katie Carmichael added eight.

The Swans’ goalers were Zoe Morris, 20; and Casey Frame, 8.

Just one goal separated the team in the second semi-final, but on grand final day it was Lake Boga which led 10-7 at quarter-time and 20-16 by the main break.

The Magpies won the next term, 9-6, and closed out with an 11-6 tally in their final quarter of the season.

The Mallee Eagles soared to a 20-goal win against Balranald in the A-reserve grand final.

It was a tremendous effort by Mallee which ended Balranald’s 16-game winning streak when it scored a 14-goal victory in the second semi-final.

A high-scoring first quarter in the grand final went the Eagles way, 15-13.

Mallee opened up an eight-goal buffer by half-time and then won the next two quarters, 15-6 and 13-10.

At the final siren the Eagles led 57-37.

Mallee Eagles goal attack Mikayla O’Meara scored 40 goals as Gemma Miller poured in 17.

Balranald’s attack was led by Bec Harvey, 20; and Mac Lloyd, 10.

A two-goal thriller was played out between Swan Hill and Woorinen in B-grade.

The Swans led 19-16 at half-time before the Tigers clawed their way to a 31-27 lead at a quarter to ply.

Inspired by the play of Payton Cuttrell who scored a match-high 31 goals, Swan Hill fought back to claim a 41-39 victory.

The Swans’ other goalers were Sophie Reed, eight; and Bianaca Brown, two.

Woorinen’s attack was led by Melissa Rushton with 22 as Chloe Twentyman and Toni Bolton scored 11 and six goals.

Beaten just once in the home-and-away series, Swan Hill won the B-reserve premiership.

The Swans raced to a 13-5 lead by quarter-time of the grand final showdown with Cohuna Kangas.

Cohuna hit back to win the second term, 11-9.

Margin was two goals going into the final quarter as the Swans led 30-28.

The Swans’ won the last, 14-12, to complete a 44-40 victory.

Grace Jones scored a match-high 34 goals for Cohuna.

The 17-and-under premiership cup was bound for Kerang after the Blues scored a six-goal win against Cohuna Kangas.

Kerang led 16-12 at quarter-time and 28-22 by the long break.

The Kangas bounced back to win the third, 14-11.

After starting the last quarter with a three-goal buffer, Kerang led 52-46 at the final whistle.

Zoe Pollock scored a match-high 41 goals for Cohuna.

Tyntynder won a closely-fought 15-and-under match with Lake Boga.

Stung by a five-goal loss to Lake Boga in the second semi-final, Tyntynder stayed in the premiership race by winning the preliminary final against Swan Hill by 18 goals.

On grand final day it was Tyntynder which led 11-7 at quarter-time and 22-16 by half-time.

Lake Boga lifted its play to win the third term, 14-9, and drew within a goal going into the last.

Tyntynder steadied to score 15 goals in the final quarter as the Magpies added 11.

The team in red, white and blue led 46-41 at the final whistle.

A dominant second quarter put Lake Boga in control of the 13-and-under grand final clash with Tooleybuc Manangatang.

The Saints led 5-4 at quarter-time before Lake Boga fired up to win the second term, 12-4.

Tooleybuc Manangatang kept hopes alive as it won the third, 7-4.

Both teams scored seven goals in the final quarter as Lake Boga celebrated a 27-23 victory.