Tigers clip Seagulls in physical Elimination Final

A FIERCE encounter between Torquay and Barwon Heads has reduced the Bellarine Netball League (BNL) finals pool to four.

 Torquay outlasted the Seagulls in an entertaining Elimination Final this afternoon (Sunday, August 20) at Portarlington Recreation Reserve, with Sonia Harris and her team staving off multiple comeback attempts to defeat Barwon Heads, 44-40.

 The Tigers’ stingy defence was on full display in the opening period, leading 13-9 after 15 minutes.

Torquay led Barwon Heads, 23-21, at the main break as both shooters Daisy O’Kane (Torquay) and Alex Antonio (Barwon Heads) traded goals throughout the first half and into the second.

Barwon Heads continued to chip away at the deficit, trailing by as little as one goal at three-quarter-time, 33-32, but that was as close as the Seagulls would get.

 

A strong 11-8 final term was enough to bring Torquay home and keep its season alive a week longer.

O’Kane finished with 35 goals, partnered with co-captain Rhian Moresi’s nine   for the Tigers.

Antonio’s 34 goals and Erica Schippers’ six totalled Barwon Heads’ effectiveness at the scoring end.

Torquay’s Bridget Aughton was named among the best-on-court for her defensive work, alongside team-mates Rebecca Trenerry and fellow captain Rhian Moresi.

Barwon Heads’ Alex Antonio, Abbey Clohesy and Erica Schippers were named among the Seagulls’ biggest contributors.

The Seagulls’ season is now at an end, while Torquay will look to gain entry to the Preliminary Final.

To get there, the Tigers will need to defeat Queenscliff in Portarlington during next week’s Semi Final (Sunday, August 27).

Grubbers humble Coutas in Qualifying Final

Ocean Grove is setting up for another deep finals run with a convincing 18-goal 59-41 Qualifying Final win over Queenscliff yesterday afternoon (Saturday, August 19).

Ocean Grove led from the beginning, limiting the Coutas to just nine first quarter goals, as Candice Parker and Bec O’Neill’s side gained a five-goal lead at quarter time.

 

The Grubbers gave no reprieve to Queenscliff in the second term, doubling its advantage to lead 28-14 at half time.

A solid second half followed for Ocean Grove, winning the remaining two quarters.

O’Neill led from the front, handing most of the scoring load with 55 of Ocean Grove’s 59 goals.

Georgia Ryan provided the other four goals to round out the scoreboard.

Queenscliff goal shooter Kaitlin Gladman managed 29 goals but the reigning A Grade league best-and-fairest was handled well by Ocean Grove’s defenders, despite goal attack Tess Campigli’s additional 12 goals.

 

O’Neill, Georgia Finn and Kelsey Ollis were named best on court for the Grubbers, while Sarah Langley, Campigli, and Fionnuala McKeagney-Stubbs received similar praise for Queenscliff.

Queenscliff’s first A Grade finals appearance in 30 years may have been soured by the loss, but Katrina Daws’ side will not have to wait long for its next finals outing, taking on Torquay in the Sunday, August 27 Semi Final.

Ocean Grove faces off against reigning and minor premiers Geelong Amateur next Saturday, August 26, with the winner to claim the first of two spots in the 2023 Grand Final.