UPDATE: In a stunning upset, Mount Pleasant has defeated the White Hills Demons 45-40 to secure a spot in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DNFL’s A-grade netball grand final this Saturday. This victory marks a significant achievement, as the Blues had not triumphed over the Demons in A-grade for over a decade.
The preliminary final, held at the Elmore Recreation Reserve, showcased Mount Pleasant’s determination and skill. Trailing 23-21 at half-time, the Blues surged in the third quarter, scoring 18 goals while limiting the Demons to just 5 goals. By the final siren, the scoreboard read Mount Pleasant 45, White Hills 40, sending shockwaves through the league.
Coached by Anthea McCleary, Mount Pleasant’s performance comes on the heels of a strong semi-final win where they defeated Huntly by 20 goals. The Demons, led by Elley Lawton, entered the match following a tough loss to Colbinabbin by 21 goals in the second semi-final.
This Saturday, Mount Pleasant faces an uphill battle against the unbeaten Colbinabbin in the grand final. The Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin has been a dominant force, having finished as runner-up for the past two seasons. Fans are eager to see if the Blues can pull off another dramatic upset.
The preliminary finals also featured other thrilling matches. In A-reserve, Colbinabbin narrowly defeated Mount Pleasant 46-44, while Mount Pleasant claimed victory in B-reserve, edging out White Hills 52-51. The excitement continued with the White Hills Demons defeating the Huntly Hawks 49-48 in the 15-and-under match, and Mount Pleasant winning the 17-and-under clash by four goals.
As the grand finals approach, five clubs will battle for supremacy at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve, with the Harlowe Huntly Hawks fielding four teams. The schedule for Saturday’s finals is set, featuring several matches starting at 8:30 am.
Fans can expect an action-packed day, with the following matches lined up:
– 17-and-under: Huntly vs. Mount Pleasant at 8:30 am
– 13-and-under: Lockington Bamawm United vs. Colbinabbin at 8:30 am
– B-grade: White Hills vs. Huntly at 10:00 am
– 15-and-under: Lockington Bamawm United vs. White Hills at 10:00 am
– B-reserve: Huntly vs. Mount Pleasant at 11:30 am
– A-reserve: Huntly vs. Colbinabbin at 1:00 pm
– A-grade: Colbinabbin vs. Mount Pleasant at 2:30 pm
As excitement builds for the grand final, Mount Pleasant’s recent triumph has ignited hope among their supporters, making this weekend’s showdown a must-watch event for netball enthusiasts across the region. Stay tuned for further updates as these teams prepare for the championship clash!
