Netball finals underway

THE weekend saw Portarlington Recreation Reserve host the opening round of the BFNL netball finals.

Saturday’s game saw Geelong Amateurs narrowly defeat Ocean Grove 41-38 to guarantee themselves a place in the first semi-final against top-spot Torquay.

Ocean Grove will then play Modewarre in the second semi-final after Modewarre comprehensively dispatched Barwon Heads, 5732.

The winner of that semi-final play the loser of the first one in the preliminary final.

Barwon Heads A Grade coach Olivia Young said despite the team’s loss she’s pleased with the character the team showed in a season riddled with injuries.

“We had to filter some new players in because of the injuries. But they really adapted and we played really well to still make finals and finish fifth.”

Things went differently in the B Grade qualifying finals, with both Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads winning their games.

Both finals were closely fought, with Barwon Heads beating Torquay in the first qualifying final 36-34, and Ocean Grove beating Modewarre, 4238.

The C Grade finals were even closer, with both being decided by a single point.

The first qualifying final saw Geelong Amateur edge past Drysdale 34-33, and in the second Barwon Heads to win 21-20, despite a spirited final quarter from Torquay where they netted eight points to Barwon Heads’ one.

In the D Grade Torquay won the first qualifying final against Geelong Amateur 25-15. While the second qualifying final saw Barwon Heads on the other side of a one-point defeat, as Modewarre won 23-22.

In the first E Grade qualifying final, Ocean Grove overturned a half-time deficit to beat Geelong Amateur 27-23. The second semi-final then saw Torquay defeat Queenscliff 25-19.

Portarlington Recreation Reserve will also host next week’s semi-finals, before the sides move on to Spring Creek Reserve for the preliminary finals and grand finals.