Gippsland Times |
SALE and Leongatha, who have played off in the past two Gippsland League A grade netball grand finals, turned on another high standard thriller on Saturday.
The Magpies opened their account with a 39-33 win at home.
With goal shooter Kathy Reid and wing attack Kate Sperling playing well, Leongatha led 10-6 at the first change.
Sale hit back with a 13-9 second quarter to level the scores 19-19 at the main break.
The match went to another level in the third term. It developed into a tough, physical game with the Magpies in front 27-26 at the final change.
In the final quarter, the Magpies played a similar brand of netball which set-up last year's premiership, going on to win by six goals.
Defenders Mel Johnston, Taryn Cunningham and Alleena Butcher helped turn defence into attack, while mid-court players Tianna Hogan and Tori Dessent kept feeding the ball to attackers Julie Gerrand and Fiona Van Der Snoek.
MAFFRA fell two goals short of Bairnsdale on Sunday.
The Eagles challenged the Redlegs at Bairnsdale, going down 30-28.
Following the Easter break, the Eagles will head to Leongatha on Anzac Day.
In other A grade matches last weekend, Traralgon defeated Wonthaggi 40-24 and Morwell had a 43-35 win over Drouin 35.