Rupertswood’s B-grade netball premiership brought up a hat-trick for the Sharks on a single day – Sunday – in the Riddell District Netball League.
The flag was the third for Sharks netball sides on a remarkable day, after the B’s won under-19 and C-grade flags in the morning.
For the B-graders, it was their third straight premiership.
Photos: RDNL B Grade Grand Final Rupertswood v Riddell
Riddell started better and led by five goals at quarter-time with Chloe Meulenmeesters dominating for the Bombers in attack.
The Sharks got back into the game and scores were level at half-time.
A quarter later the Sharks had hit the front, by the smallest of margins: one goal. Their defence found another level in the last term, restricting the Bombers to just three goals.
At the other end, the Shark shooters capitalised on the defenders’ good work, scoring 12 goals to seal a 41-31 win.
Picture Shawn Smits.
Sharks coach Di McCormack said it was a season that tested the team, with a new playing group battling a run of injuries.
“It’s great and it goes to show how much depth we have in the club,” McCormack said.
“We had a few injuries during the year, so I had to bring in some other girls. The replacements worked well and without them we wouldn’t have got to where we are.
“This season we’ve had a lot of our 19 and unders from last year.”
Hayley Mathews, who joined the team during the season, was named best on court, shooting 12 goals from 15 attempts.
“Hayley came in and helped us out and has become an integral part of the team,” McCormack said.
“She was in the team last year but had decided to focus on playing Victorian Netball League.”
McCormack was full of praise for Jess Dominko, Lara Keating and Leshae Hogan.
Keating was also part of the under-19 premiership side.
“It was good to get Jess a premiership,” McCormack said. “She helped us out last year when she was coming back from injury and once the A’s went out, she couldn’t play for us in the rest of the finals and grand final.
“This year to get her in the team and have that experience from her was fantastic.”
“I’m rapt with Lara Keating, who has gone from strength to strength and I think she’s a chance to play VNL if she keeps playing like that.
“Leshae Hogan, coming on in the centre, showed a lot of drive to really shut them down and give us depth.
“We almost had a totally different line-up from last week. Goes to show these girls can fit in with each other and do the job required.”
