HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR has returned to form in week one of the Mininera and District Netball Association finals with a thumping victory against Lismore-Derrinallum on Saturday at Lismore Recreation Reserve, 60–33.

Having lost the double chance in the finals with a shock loss to Ararat in the final home and away round the previous week, the Eagles quickly found that lost touch with a display of four-quarter netball to take the game away from the Demons.

The Demons failed to go on with the job after taking a two-goal lead into the first change of ends, as the Eagles returned to the court for the second term, intent on producing the netball that had them post 12 wins for the season.

Hawkesdale-Macarthur netted 19 times for the term to grab a 10-goal lead at the long break.

Having posted 30 goals in the first half, the Eagles reproduced that form for the second half, adding a further 30 goals to wipe the Demons from the court in a dominant display, as Madison Kelly and Rachael McGrath produced best on court displays with Kelly dropping 41 goals for the Eagles.

With the Eagles needing to come from behind after trailing at the first change of ends, Maureen McGrath needed to find the words to inspire her players to find the form that got them to this game in the first place.

“We just needed to stick tighter and capitalise better on opportunities given,” Hawkesdale-Macarthur coach, Maureen McGrath said.

The Ararat loss was not used as motivation, but rather McGrath was able to see where her team needed to improve.

“Not necessarily motivation but it enabled us to really see the areas we needed to work on,” she said.

“Rachael McGrath and Annie (Dalton) in defence were amazing together and Maddi Kelly shot amazingly for us.

“Their goal shooter, Anita Burchell, was very hard to play on with her height and shooting accuracy.”

Qualifying final

ARARAT proved that its last round defeat of Hawkesdale-Macarthur wasn’t an anomaly, accounting for Penshurst in the Qualifying Final, 43-34.

The Eagles led at every break despite the Bombers fighting back in the second and third terms, as they played catch up netball after falling behind by four goals at the first change of ends.

At the long break the margin was three goals and by three-quarter time it was down to just two, as the Bombers fought back.

The final term belonged to Ararat, lifting its intensity to record 14 goals for the term, while Penshurst could only manage seven in reply as Ararat ran away with the game when the final siren sounded.

Jedah Huf and Rachael Mibus did all they could to keep the Bombers in the contest, but Kira Stapleton and Taryn Kelly were too good, booking a spot against Tatyoon in next weekend’s second semi-final.

Penshurst will tackle Hawkesdale-Macarthur next Sunday at Macarthur in what will be a tough match, as the loser will fold away its bibs for the season as the winner advances to play the loser of Tatyoon and Ararat in two weeks at Penshurst.

B grade

ARARAT had to fend off a fast-finishing Woorndoo-Mortlake on Saturday, as the Tigers came from nine goals down at the last change of ends to fall by four goals, 35-31.

PENSHURST has come from behind at three quarter time to claim victory against Hawkesdale-Macarthur, 31-30, with Maddi Uebergang and Jedah Huf playing a starring role for the Bombers

Emily Huglin and Maddison Sharrock did all they could to pinch a win for the Eagles.

C grade

TATYOON was too good for Ararat in the second half, as the Hawks came from behind to claim a 21-17 victory on Saturday.

GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD lifted after half-time against Lismore-Derrinallum to record a strong 12-goal victory against the Demons on Sunday.

17-and-Under

PENSHURST led at every change, defeating Moyston-Willaura, 38 to 30, on Saturday to advance to the second semi-final on Saturday against minor premier, Woorndoo-Mortlake.

CARAMUT had a great game against Hawkesdale-Macarthur with the lead changing hands repeatedly throughout the contest, before the Swans won, 31-25, and will play Moyston-Willaura on Sunday.

15-and-Under

HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR had a real see-sawing encounter with Wickliffe-Lake Bolac on Saturday at Willaura, which saw the lead change hands regularly until the final siren saw the Eagles in front, 15-14.

LISMORE-DERRINALLUM has defeated Tatyoon in the elimination final at Willaura on Sunday, 11-10, to advance to Sunday’s game against Wickliffe-Lake Bolac.

13-and-Under

GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD has held on to record a hard-fought victory in the elimination final against Woorndoo-Mortlake, 14-11, allowing the Rams to advance to a semi-final against Caramut at Macarthur on Sunday.

PENSHURST was far too strong for Caramut in the qualifying final at Woorndoo, winning, 28-5, and will now play minor premier, Lismore-Derrinallum, at Willaura on Saturday with the winner advancing straight to the grand final.