Boisdale Briagolong have won the most important battle of the arch rivals, defeating Stratford in the East Gippsland netball “A” grade preliminary last Saturday at the Bairnsdale City Oval.
The combatants had played two draws in the home and away season, before the Bombers were eight-goal winners in the final round.
With the stakes high, it was the Bombers who again took the ascendancy and the vital spot in the this week’s grand final against Lucknow.
Boisdale led at every change, capitalising on a surprising number of turnovers and errors from the normal steady and consistent Swans in the third quarter, they set up a match-winning break.
When the final siren sounded the Bombers were 15 goals in front and headed for the big dance.
Hannah Pratt, Abbey Pleydell and Zara Flynn were all in splendid touch for the winners, with Lilli Stobie and Eliza Osborn battling hard for the disappointed defending champions.
Minor premier Lucknow has dramatically been knocked out of the “B” grade preliminary final, after losing just two games in the home and away.
Shock loser to Wy Yung last year, the Magpies were outclassed by Boisdale-Briagolong, 42-20.
Emily Porter, Meg Fitt and Demi Scriven were in sensational form for the Bombers, while league best and fairest winner Tegan Benedetti was Lucknow’s best player.
In “C” grade, minor premier, Lucknow bounced back after a narrow loss to Boisdale Briagolong last week, the breaks going the Magpies way in the stretch, coming out on top, 35-29 over Wy Yung.
Stacey Ashley and Stacey Murphy led the way for Lucknow, with Indi Cavanagh, Alanna Solomon and Prudence Wyndham-Martin giving a good account of themselves for the Tigers.
The closest match of the day was in “D” grade, with the Tigers winning with a penalty shot from Barbie Dobson after the final hooter in extra time.
Wy Yung and Lucknow went head and head all day, the Tigers successful 36-35, earning the right to challenge the unbeaten Boisdale Briagolong in the decider.
Lorren Cole and Mackenzie Davies were pivotal for Wy Yung, while Shae Joustra, Bonnie Paterson and Shannon Anderson played their hearts out for the Magpies.
Minor premier, Lucknow bounced back with authority in the 17 and under clash, easily accounting for Stratford 37-20.
Heidi Trinder and Tahnee Stephenson were impressive for the Magpies, who will fancy themselves this week against Orbost Snowy Rovers.
Xanthe Wade and Tahlie Bailey led the rearguard action for the Swans.
The most disappointed team on the day would have to have been the Lucknow under 15s; unbeaten throughout the home and season, they lost to Orbost by two goals last week, and Wy Yung this week by the same margin.
Ivana Pai and Lexi Capobianco led the charge for the Tigers, with league best and fairest winner, Claire Bryan and Anna Watts putting in good displays for the Magpies.
Lucknow had its third win for the day, getting its fourth side through to the grand final, with the 13 and under outfit winning over Stratford 27-20.
Paygen Heywood and Abbey Heywood were serviceable for the Swans.
SCORES
NETBALL
“A” GRADE
Bois Briag 57 d Stratford 42.
BEST – Bois Briag: H. Pratt, A. Pleydell, Z. Flynn. Stratford: L. Stobie, E. Osborn.
“B” GRADE
Bois Briag 42 d Lucknow 20.
BEST – Bois Briag: E. Porter, M. Fitt, D. Scriven. Lucknow: T. Benedetti, T. Jenkins, T. Gordon.
“C” GRADE
Lucknow 35 d Wy Yung 29.
BEST – Lucknow: S. Ashley, S. Murphy. Wy Yung: I. Cavanagh, A. Solomon, P. Wyndham-Martin.
“D” GRADE
Wy Yung 36 d Lucknow 35.
BEST – Wy Yung: L. Cole, M. Davies. Lucknow: S. Joustra, B. Paterson, S. Anderson.
17 AND UNDER
Lucknow 37 d Stratford 20.
BEST – Lucknow: H. Trinder, T. Stephenson. Stratford: T. Bailey, X. Wade.
15 AND UNDER
Wy Yung 27 d Lucknow 25.
BEST – Wy Yung: I. Pai, L. Capobianco. Lucknow: C. Bryan, A. Watts.
13 AND UNDER
Lucknow 27 d Stratford 20.
BEST – Lucknow: not supplied. Stratford: P. Bates, A. Heywood, S. Pini.
