Rupertswood’s C-grade team has tasted premiership glory for the first time in the Riddell District Netball League.
Taking on last year’s premiers Riddell, the Sharks knew they were in for a challenge despite having beaten the Bombers in a semi-final.
Photo Gallery: RDNL C Grade Grand Final Rupertswood v Riddell
Like the under-19 game played beforehand, the match was even for the first three quarters before the Sharks found another gear.
The Sharks shot the first five goals of the final quarter to open up a match- winning lead. Despite the Bombers getting late goals, the Sharks won 22-19.
Coach Katie Clarke took on the job of coaching the C-graders this season. She had already coached the under-19 team that won the last two premierships – and the under-19s won a third straight flag on Sunday.
Picture Shawn Smits.
“I sort of said to Di [McCormack] that I’d be happy to take on the C-grade team this year. Coming back from having my second child, it wasn’t easy.
“But it was such an awesome group of girls who were so easy to coach. The club has really supported me, making it easy; it really deserved this.”
Clarke said that for much of the first three quarters, her players struggled with the wet and slippery conditions and couldn’t get their game going.
“We worked hard on structures and were patient and really worked the ball into the circle.
“We knew Riddell would be strong but we had to make sure we were playing our own game. Certainly, the first three quarters wasn’t our best netball for the year. We threw a lot of ball away, tried to play a fast game and with weather like that you can’t do it.”
Lucy Batina who came on at quarter-time, was named best on court, capping off what had been a tough season for the shooter.
“She’s been really, really sick,” Clarke said. “She desperately wanted to keep playing, but obviously couldn’t keep up with the training for A’s and B’s.
“We said we could put her in the C-grade and she’s brought a lot of calm at the attacking end.”
Four players – Danielle Scardamaglia, Holly Keating, Tayissa Moravski and Hannah Keane – played in both of Sunday’s C-grade and under-19 premierships .
