Morse element

North GippslandNorth Gippsland Netball Netball Grand Grand Finals Finals Wildcats wi in i in overti ime

NETBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND BY ZOE ASKEW

THE A Grade netball Grand Final was a match for the ages. Woodside ended up winning in overtime, defeating Rosedale. With 60 seconds left, the score was Rosedale 40, Woodside 39, before the Wildcats levelled things up. From the Blues centre, Carly Johnstone passed to Demi Plunkett, Plunkett to Sarah Mayman, Mayman feeding the ball to Meg Gordyn. Obstruction Woodside goalkeeper, Gordyn misses. Lorelle Lowe sets up for her shot, time is called. The 60 minutes were up, and the scores were tied. Teams returned to their bench, hastily taping body parts and sipping much-needed water before returning to the court to play seven minutes each side in overtime. Woodside was first to score. Woodside scored again and again and again. A belligerent Libby Nicol put away eight consecutive goals for Woodside. Rosedale scrounged up a few goals, but as Woodside pulled away, the Blues’ hearts fell heavy. After 74 exhausting minutes, Woodside claimed their victory, defeating Rosedale 56 to 48. The talent and efforts from both teams was exceptional, but it was Woodside’s Caitlan Ponton who took home the best on court. Thriller: Woodside won the A Grade flag in overtime against Rosedale.

photograph zoe askew

Blues take out B Grade premiership

NETBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND BY ZOE ASKEW

DESPITE the unwaveringly indecisive weather, seeing rain one minute and sunshine the next, Rosedale and Sale City Football-Netball Club supporters flocked in droves to Heyfield FootballNetball Club’s court on Saturday to watch the North Gippsland Football-Netball League 2022 B Grade Grand Final. Rosedale and Sale City were neck-and-neck from the first centre pass, shooting one for one in the first half of the starting quarter. As the first quarter neared its end, the Bulldogs pulled away with exceptional play from Ella Baker Horan in the midcourt. Sale City led Rosedale 12 to 8 as teams entered the quarter break. The second quarter saw fantastic defensive play from Rosedale’s goal defence, Lauren Passalaqua and goalkeeper Caitlyn Passalaqua and Sale City’s goalkeeper Grace Tauschke. In their attacking third and midcourt, the Bulldogs drew strength from their pocket rocket goal attack, Kate Ronchi, whose movement on court and shooting accuracy was impressive to say the least. Ronchi and Sale City’s goal shooter Lucy Best boasted a strong playing connection as they moved synchronically in the shooting ring. While both teams harboured impressive talent, it was Rosedale’s centre, Mishe Clarke, who dominated the court, showcasing her athleticism, Yes girls: Rosedale won the B Grade flag. ability to read the game, astute ball distribution and relentless drive. Rosedale reclaimed their lead in the second quarter. Ronchi and Best were dominant presences in the shooting ring, but it wasn’t enough to penetrate Rosedale’s rock-solid defence from the Passalaqua girls. The Blues maintained the lead heading into the fourth quarter, but it was still anyone’s game. Aggression built as teams relentlessly scoured for another goal, and the game was now a battle. The crowd roared at every goal as supporters cheered for their side, but there would only be one winner. The Bulldogs fronted a tremendous fight, but the Blues took the flag. Final score, Rosedale 34, Sale City 29.

TTU proves too strong in C Grade

NETBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND BY ZOE ASKEW

TRARALGON Tyers United faced Sale City in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League C Grade netball Grand Final on Saturday. With the Bombers having lost only one game throughout the season, the Bulldogs knew they needed to bring both their bite and their bark if they were to take home the preimership flag. Even the most experienced punters would have been stumped when it came to choosing a winning side, with TTU defeating Sale City 43 to 36 in Round 9 and Sale City defeating TTU 52 to 18 in the semi-finals. Sale City put forward a tough fight, that saw a profitable collaboration between the Bulldogs’ goal attack, Kate Hayes, and goal shooter Nicola Thatcher. The Bulldogs centre player, Deb Fox, showcased her wealth of netball knowledge, and was a consistent reassurance for Sale’s girls throughout the game. Sale City’s goalkeeper, who moved into goal defence for the game’s second half, Ally Gull, was a dominating presence in the shooting ring, putting unrelenting pressure on TTU’s goal shooter, Jessica Bonnici and goal attack, Sarah Johnson. The Bombers had incredible pace in their attack through their wing attack, Hayley Heil. TTU’s centre, Ella Maguire, was also an outstanding player, linking well with Heil in the midcourt. Scores were tied at the end of the first quarter. TTU dominated the remainder of the game with an exceptional performance from Heil, who fed the ball to the Bombers’ sharp shooters Johnson and Bonnici in the shooting ring flawlessly. Gull was ferocious in defence, but was no match for the Bombers’ crafty collaboration in the shooting ring. While Sale City boasted impressive movement in goal shooter Thatcher, her accuracy was a letdown for the Bulldog’s attacking game. In Thatcher’s defence, it was particularly windy. When the Bombers took off, there was no chance of stopping them, and when the final whistle sounded, TTU took the victory. defeating Sale City 43 to 28. Heil was voted best on court.

Thrilling match determines D Grade flag

NETBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND BY ZOE ASKEW

SIGHTS set on five premierships in a row, the undefeated Sale City came out hard and fast in the first quarter of the North Gippsland FootballNetball League D Grade Grand Final. But it wouldn’t be enough. In 60 minutes, Rosedale would dethrone the Bulldogs from their undefeated status, taking with them the premiership flag. Rosedale matched Sale City’s dominance in the mid-court with Scarlett Ellen a strength for the Blues. The Bulldogs were on top, leading Rosedale 11 to four at the end of the first quarter. The Blues were strong in their attacking third through goal attack, Ashlea Roberts-Courtney boasting accuracy in the shooting ring. Sale City’s goalkeeper Abbey Kinnish was a persistent presence in defence, putting unrelenting pressure on Roberts-Courtney and Rosedale’s goal shooter Alicia Foley throughout the game. The Blues found their rhythm, taking a two-point lead at the end of the third; Rosedale 20, Sale 18. Lara Wain was outstanding for Sale in the final quarter, a pocket-rocket on the court with unwavering tenacity and fantastic fluidity throughout her court movement. Elyse Counahan in goal attack was also a standout for Sale City, but it was Rosedale’s centre, Scarlett Ellen, who ultimately stole the on-court show. Pressure built as the seconds melted away, and the crowd became a colourful sea of boisterous roars. It was Sale’s centre pass; the game’s end was in sight, and just one point separated the Bulldogs from the Blues. Sale was desperate to even the score, sending the ball into the attacking third at lightning speed. Enter Olivia Northway. As the Bulldogs tried to penetrate Rosedale’s defence, Northway, the Blues’ goal defence, turned the ball over with a fantastic intercept; the tables had turned. Ellen carried the play from Rosedale’s defensive third through the mid-court, finding RobertsCourtney and Foley in the shooting ring. Time was up. The game was over and the underdogs, Rosedale, claimed the victory, 28 to 26, against the now defeated Sale City.