Business end of the season arrives for local netballers

Narrabri Netball Association teams are fast approaching the finals series of the respective divisions, with this Saturday’s fixtures at the Bev Burrows Courts the last before the semi-finals arrive for three of the competitions.

The senior B-grade and the junior under-9/10 and under-11-13 teams will play their final-round matches on Saturday ahead of the semi-finals on August 24 and grand final day on August 31, while both the A-grade and A-reserve campaigns have two more regular season rounds left ahead of grand final day.

There will be no semi-finals for the A-grade and A-reserve sides, with the two top-ranked teams in each comp to go straight through to the deciders.

Last Saturday’s action saw A-grade defending champs and current ladder leaders, the Tourist Tornadoes, secure their spot in the grand final when they outscored The Goats 48-22. That result saw Tourist move to eight points, having scored four wins from as many matches, as the third-placed Goats remained on two points with two rounds remaining.

The other match was won by Flames as they prevailed by a forfeit against Mii Mii Memorial. Flames are now on six points and can also secure their place in the final if they beat the Tornadoes in round five this Saturday, or if The Goats lose against Mii Mii Memorial.

Mii Mii Memorial are last on zero points and can no longer win their way through to grand final day.

In the A-reserve competition, the first-placed Grubs continued their unbeaten run as they downed Namoi Mirrii 49-17, and All Nets forfeited to Pharmacy Ferns. Those results saw Grubs clinch a grand final spot as they finished the day on eight points, with the Ferns (6), All Nets (2) and Namoi Mirrii (0) ranked second to fourth, respectively.

Both of the B-grade matches that were scheduled to be played in round 11 went ahead. Agies Rural Renegades outscored the Namoi Songbirds 46-15 while Hot Shots defeated the Golden Gurls 30-21.

The Renegades are ranked first with 20 points following their victory, and ranked second to fourth, respectively, are Hot Shots (12), Golden Gurls (8) and Namoi Songbirds (4).

All four of those teams will play in the semi-finals this season following their final-round games on Saturday.

In the under-11-13 junior comp, the undefeated ladder leaders Namoi Cotton Thunderbirds won their round 13 match 32-4 against Swifts, and the other game was won 21-15 by fellow Wee Waa team C and W Firebirds over Lightning. Giants had the round 13 bye.

Those results saw the Thunderbirds (20) and Firebirds (11) finish the day ranked first and second, and in the next three spots are Lightning (9), the Swifts (8) and the Giants (0).

In the under-9/10 competition, the top-ranked Valley Vixens prevailed 22-2 against Diamonds, while WWBC Swifts downed Sapphires 8-3.
Rubies had the round 13 bye.

The Valley Vixens lead the way with 19 points, followed by WWBC Swifts (11), Diamonds (7), Sapphies (6), and Rubies (5).

There will be three rounds contested in both junior comps this Saturday as Narrabri Netball Association hosts another super round. It will see the round one, round 14 and round 15 matches all played at the Bev Burrows Courts.