Weekly Advertiser | An A Grade netball showdown between Noradjuha-Quantong and Rupanyup at the weekend lived up to its blockbuster billing, with the teams’ race for second place now coming down to the final round.

The Bombers fought out a two-goal triumph, beating the Panthers 38-36 to claim a slender lead of 0.78 percentage points on the ladder.

Saturday’s match at Quantong highlighted both teams as capable challengers to minor premier Laharum.

The Bombers had the better start, restricting Rupanyup to only six goals in the first term, but the Panthers rebounded to tie the scores at half time, and the sides remained deadlocked at the final change.

It was stout defensive work from Brooke Pay that gave the home side a narrow advantage, with Pay smothering Rupanyup’s Maddi Morgan to help neutralise the impact of Panther Zanaiya Bergen, who went goal-for-goal with Bomber goalie Shannon Couch.

Pay forced several crucial turnovers in the final term, allowing Noradjuha-
Quantong to build a buffer large enough to withstand a late Rupanyup comeback attempt.

The match between Swifts and Edenhope-Apsley at Apsley was just as thrilling, with the Baggies keeping their slender finals hopes alive by winning 45-43.

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