HAMILTON KANGAROOS Open netball team fell at the first hurdle of the Hampden Football Netball League finals, going down to Warrnambool in the elimination final at Hanlon Park on Sunday.

The Roos went into the match in strong form after a stirring 17-goal victory against Terang-Mortlake, while Warrnambool was defeated by Cobden, but that form counted for nothing as the Blues led at every break.

The Blues gained early momentum in the first quarter and were rewarded with turnover ball that led to a five-goal quarter time lead.

The Roos began their fightback when the players returned to the court and even though they didn’t bridge the gap by half time, they did reduce the deficit to three goals, as Danielle Van Kalken and Hayley Sherlock found their range.

Warrnambool stood tallest in the third quarter, as the Blues refused to allow the Kangaroos to gain any momentum with Eva Ryan and Isabella Baker returning to the form they showed in the first term and the margin blew out to eight at the last change of ends.

With one quarter remaining to rescue their season, the Kangaroos were desperate to pressure Warrnambool into making mistakes and produce turnover ball, and the side was able to bustle the Blues into mistakes, outscoring the opposition 10-6 in the last term, but it wasn’t enough, losing 38-42.

Emma Sommerville was rewarded for a great display down back with the player of the match award for the club.

With the squad making great strides this season, co-coaches Emma and Kellie Sommerville were happy with the progress the squad has made this season.

"Our goal was to make finals, it's been a really long time for Hamilton open," Emma Sommerville (Kangaroos co-coach) said.

"So, we're really happy with what we've achieved this season.

"Obviously it was not the result we're after, but the girls fought really hard, and it was just a couple little lulls where they got a bit of a run-on."

“This year has been a great foundation for next season after we have used this season as a building season,” Kellie Sommerville (co-coach) said.

Other grades

DIVISION One Kangaroos fell by the smallest of margins against Koroit at Leura Oval at Camperdown on Saturday, losing 45-46.

The Roos led by a goal at the end of the first term, and by five goals at the long break and the game appeared to be headed for the result that was tipped.

The Saints returned to the court for the third quarter and made the Roos pay for every mistake, piling on 15 goals to only six in reply to take a four-goal lead into the final term.

The third quarter shocked the Roos into action, coming home hard in the last quarter to score 15 goals, but the Saints held steady to hang on for the one-goal win despite the best efforts of Jess Crane, Kelsey Lewis and Michayla McRae.

The team now must defeat Portland in the first semi-final on Sunday to remain in premiership contention.

DIVISION TWO recorded a convincing 39-30 victory against Portland to advance through to the second semi-final against Port Fairy, where victory will book a grand final spot and a week’s rest.

DESPITE leading by two goals at the final change of ends, the Hamilton Kangaroos’ 17-and-Under team fell agonisingly short against Cobden, losing 31-32, with Ella Sevior and Mimi Chun the standouts.

HAMILTON was also eliminated in the 15-and-Unders, as North Warrnambool Eagles proved to be far too strong with a 42-18 victory.

Holly Rook, Olivia Hardy and Ruby Cleaver played well for the blue and white.

THE 13-and Under team had a good hit out against South Warrnambool winning 39-16 to increase its lead at every break as Molly Sevior, Lucy Jennings and Ruby Spong led the way for the Roos.

Under-18.5 football

HAMILTON Kangaroos were never in the hunt against Warrnambool in the Under-18.5 qualifying final, going down 4.7 (31) – 9.12 (66).

After an even first term that saw only one goal kicked between the teams, the Blues played their fast style of game to cruise past the Kangaroos into the second semi-final.

Jack Jennings, Charlie Field, Charlie Alexander, Marcus Matuschka, Deacon White and Noah Herrmann were the best for the Kangaroos, and the squad will have to front up against Cobden at Gardens Oval on Sunday to keep its season alive.