HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR will have the entire off-season to think about what might have been after being defeated in a shock loss to Woorndoo-Mortlake in the Mininera and District Netball Association A grade elimination final at Derrinallum Recreation Reserve on Sunday, 31-35.
Despite finishing two wins higher on the ladder in third place than Woorndoo-Mortlake, Hawkesdale-Macarthur didn’t play its best netball, as the Eagles failed to fire a shot in the finals series after losing last week to Ararat.
The Tigers led at every change of end, dominating the first three quarters with the Eagles winning only the final term by a single goal, as it desperately tried to keep its season alive.
Josie Barker and Madison Kelly were best on court for the Eagles, while Mia Richie and Nicole Anderson gave the Tigers the edge.
ARARAT inflicted the first and only loss on Tatyoon in the qualifying final to book a week’s rest and a spot in the grand final, winning 37-36 on Saturday.
The teams swapped the lead throughout the game with the Eagles coming from behind at the last end change to overrun the Hawks by a goal.
Minor grades
ARARAT booked a second team into the grand final action with the B Grade side winning through against Glenthompson-Dunkeld, 40-25, while Tatyoon will play the Rams on Saturday after downing Woorndoo-Mortlake, 29-27.
PENSHURST will have to earn a place in the grand final in C Grade after losing to Tatyoon in the second semi-final, 21-28, despite the best efforts of Jo Rentsch and Megan Mibus for the Bombers, while Woorndoo-Mortlake will battle it out with Penshurst in the preliminary final after defeating Ararat, 25-23, on Sunday.
WOORNDOO-MORTLAKE has next week off after defeating Caramut on Saturday, 37-27, while Penshurst will battle the Swans for a place in the grand final after beating Lismore-Derrinallum, 37-23 in the 18-and-Under grade.
PENSHURST has at least one team in the grand final after the 15-and-Under side defeated Woorndoo-Mortlake, 31-29, with Wickliffe-Lake Bolac winning 15-8 against Moyston-Willaura.
GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD will be represented on MDNA grand final day with the Rams’ 13-and-Under team winning through by beating Woorndoo-Mortlake in overtime, 34-33, while Penshurst remains a chance for the flag with its 21-12 defeat of Caramut.
