Back to back Division 2 titles for MSENA

The Mod South East Netball Association played a thriller against Great Southern Netball Association (GSNA) in the Division 2 final in Adelaide over the Kings Birthday Long Weekend at the SA Country Championships.

After a topsy turvy minor round they came away with a one goal win in the semi final over Yorke Peninsula and earned themselves the opportunity to face Great Southern for the third time across the weekend.

Having gone down by 4 and 2 in the minor rounds they were seeking redemption.

The Mid SE started strongly breaking the first centre and scoring through Ebony McDiarmid. Nerves unsettled Great Southern and Mid South East went out to a four goal to nil lead, with Abbey Duncan settling the side, combining well with Annie Regnier and youngster Evie Sealey.

With teams going goal for goal, defenders Alana Berkefeld, Demi Vanderhorst and Sarah Edwards worked tirelessly, forcing Great Southern into passing errors and missed shots.

The game continued goal for goal with the Mid SE defenders working hard to limit opportunities and forcing Great Southern into passing errors and missed shots.

Wayward passing in the Mid SE attack line allowed Great Southern back into the game before a late intercept by Edwards stemmed the flow and Mid SE went into half time one goal down.

In the second half the experience of Duncan and McDiarmid in the circle started to show with great positioning, feeding and accuracy.

This combined with the strong defence of Vanderhorst, Berkefeld and Edwards Mid SE clawed back the the three goal deficit.

A held ball call late in the second giving Mid SE the opportunity to score through a penalty shot to Duncan, followed quickly by the full time siren evening the score 27 all.

Both teams struggled to get the upper hand and Great Southern held a one goal lead at the final break.

Scores remained even late in the game and courtesy of great defensive pressure gave a turnover opportunity to Regnier, with Duncan scoring and giving Mid SE a one goal lead with 10 seconds to go.

A defensive tap out by Vanderhorst disrupted the flow and the whistle went while in the Great Southern goal circle seeing Mid SE coming away victorious with a one goal win.

Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Netball Association bowed out at the semi final stage in a nail biting one goal final scoreline but did see two players adjudged part of the SA Country Championships Top 10 – Melanie Makin and Rose Pfitzner.

17 & Under KNTNA player Lucy Midwinter was named in the inaugural 17 & Under Top 10 of the Championship.