BY NATHAN DOLE
SWAN Hill soared into the Central Murray FNL’s A-grade netball grand final after an emphatic win against Mallee Eagles in Saturday’s preliminary final in Nyah.
The Swans sealed a 48-30 victory to set up a grand final showdown with Lake Boga next Saturday at Alan Garden Reserve in Swan Hill.
Beaten by a goal in the second semi-final clash with the Magpies on Woorinen’s court, Swan Hill bounced back in style.
The Mallee Eagles had fought their way to the second-last day of the season by winning the elimination final against Tyntynder by 16 goals, and then marked a 51-42 win against Balranald in the first semi-final.
An unbeaten Lake Boga will start favourite to claim the A-grade title.
Swan Hill also starred across the home-and-away series to achieve a 15-1 record and sit second on the ladder.
Only meeting between the Magpies and Swans in the run to the finals was in round eight where Lake Boga won 52-36 at home.
There were some closely-fought matches across preliminary final in the Demons’ den at Nyah Recreation Reserve.
Balranald fought on for a 45-42 win against Woorinen in A-reserve.
Just two goals separated Woorinen and Koondrook Barham at the end of the B-grade contest.
The Tigers led the River Raiders, 34-32 at the final siren.
It was a one-goal margin in B-reserve as Cohuna Kangas stayed in the premiership race after a 46-45 victory against Tyntynder.
The rising stars from Kerang won the 17-and-under match with Tooleybuc Manangatang by nine goals.
The Blues won 47-38 and will now face Cohuna Kangas on grand final day.
Tyntynder was in control for a lot of the 15-and-under match with Swan Hill.
At the final siren the Bulldogs led the Swans, 54-36.
Fans were treated to a thrilling finish to the 13-and-under match between Tooleybuc Manangatang and Woorinen.
The Saints marked a 26-24 victory against the Tigers.
Nine of the league’s clubs will be represented on grand final day.
Lake Boga and Swan Hill will have three teams taking to the courts.
There will be two line-ups from Cohuna chasing premiership glory.
Also represented on that one day in September will be Balranald, Kerang, Mallee Eagles, Tooleybuc Manangatang, Tyntynder, and Woorinen.
Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at Alan Garden Reserve, Swan Hill:
15-and-under, 8.45am on court one: Lake Boga v Tyntynder.
17-and-under, 10.15am on court one: Cohuna Kangas v Kerang.
13-and-under, 10.15am on court two: Lake Boga v Tooleybuc Manangatang.
B-grade, 11.50am on court two: Swan Hill v Woorinen.
A-reserve, 1.20pm on court one: Mallee Eagles v Balranald.
B-reserve, 1.20pm on court two: Swan Hill v Cohuna Kangas.
A-grade, 2.55pm on court one: Lake Boga v Swan Hill.