The 2022 Narrabri Netball Association campaign wrapped up on Saturday as the Bev Burrows Courts hosted four entertaining grand final matches.
Tourist Tornadoes are this year’s A-grade champions following a five-goal win against the minor premiers Fever.
The Tornadoes led at all three of the breaks throughout the evening, with the score 14-9 at quarter-time, 21-16 at half-time and then 26-24 at three-quarter-time.
Despite Fever’s best efforts to claw its way back in front, the Tornadoes were too strong and outscored their opponents 10-7 in the final term to win the match 36-31.
Both sides played extremely well in tricky conditions on what was a windy evening, and Tornadoes shooter Bree Smith was particularly impressive throughout the match, especially in the final quarter.
Her teammate Bridie Russell was the clear standout in the decider, though, with a stellar performance at the other end of the court. Russell played most of the game at goalkeeper and was instrumental in ensuring her side remained in the lead when the final siren sounded. The 16-year-old was recognised for her brilliant efforts by six association life members, including John Smith, Ellen Gleeson, Kath Panton, Jenny Gordon, Jo Van der Vliet and Angela Cunningham, who voted her as the 2022 A-grade grand final player-of-the-match.
Russell’s defensive partner Tenika Bakhuis saved her best until last with a classy grand final performance, while Fever defenders Molly Welsh and Olivia Turner also impressed in a losing side.
Meanwhile, the 2022 campaign A-reserve champions are All Nets, who prevailed by forfeit against Vicious and Delicious as some of that team’s players were denied entry to Narrabri by flood water, and it could not field a full team.
Several Vicious and Delicious team members were joined by players from other teams, and together they played a friendly match against All Nets.
The B-grade grand final was won emphatically by The Goats, which claimed the premiership with a 38-19 win against Pretty Poison.
There were just two points in it at quarter-time as The Goats led 7-5 at the first break, but they outscored their opponents 12 goals to four in the second quarter to go into half-time ahead 19-9.
The Goats stretched their lead to 11 points at the final break after scoring eight goals to seven in the third term, and they outscored Pretty Poison 11 goals to three in the final quarter to claim the 19-goal victory.
The C-grade grand final was won by Wilga Warriors, which scored a 34-23 victory against Hot Shots.
The Warriors were dominant in the first half of that match as they led 10-5 at quarter-time and then 21-9 at the main break.
Hot Shots reduced their deficit to 10 at the last break after outscoring the Warriors eight goals to six in the third term, but the Warriors then scored seven goals to six in the final quarter to claim an 11-goal victory.
The first game of the day was won by Wee Waa’s C and W Firebirds, which are the under-11/12 champions after downing Magpies 19-12.
There was just one goal in it at the first break as the Firebirds went into quarter-time with a 4-3 lead, and they stretched that to three at half-time as they scored five goals to three in the second quarter to take a 9-6 lead into the main break.
A dominant third quarter, during which the Firebirds piled on seven goals and only conceded three, made the three-quarter-time score 16-9.
Both sides then scored three goals each in the fourth quarter as the full-time score finished 19-12 to the C and W Firebirds.
A junior presentation was held after the under-11/12 decider, and then a senior presentation was hosted after the A-grade grand final.
Award winners for Narrabri Netball Association’s 2022 campaign are as follows:
11/12-years most improved players:
Giants – Grace Freeman, Namoi Cotton Thunderbirds – Maecee Smith, Swifts – Lily-May Rapley, Magpies – Elsie Campbell, C and W Firebirds – Emma Dixon, Lightning – Ellie Wilkins.
Representative awards:
12-years:
Most improved – Grace Lennox, coach’s award – Ruby Irwin, player of the series – Bridie Harris.
13-years:
Most improved – Aleira Sunderland, coach’s award – Imalia Gordon, player of the series – Rya Knox.
14-years:
Most improved – Beth Faris, coach’s award – Josie Harvey, player of the series – Olivia Shields.
15-years:
Most improved – Bella Suckling, coach’s award – Lily Campbell, player of the series – Callie Lawler.
17-years:
Most improved – Olivia Turner, coach’s award – Lucy Crutcher, player of the series – Lara Sunderland.
Grand final day awards:
11/12-years player of the final – Bridie Harris (C and W Firebirds).
C-grade player of the final – Sam Woolford (Wilga Warriors).
B-grade player of the final – Maxine O’Connor (The Goats).
A-reserve player of grand final day (friendly game) – Mereka Gleeson (All Nets).
A-grade player of the final – Bridie Russell (Tourist Tornadoes).
Best cheerers on grand final day – Millie Conaty, Michelle O’Connor and Kym Capp.
NNA 2022 season major awards:
Margaret Illingsworth memorial trophy for senior goal aggregate – All Nets.
Steph Stuart memorial trophy for junior sportsperson of the year – Bella Bakhuis.
Committee person of the year – Kerry Crutcher.
Life member – Fiona McLachlan.
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