HOPPERS Crossing have emerged at the top of elite men's netball
in Victoria with a grand final win in the M League competition.
They defeated the highly-fancied Southern Sparks
comprehensively, 53-31, in the climax of the competition's return
season at the State Netball Hockey Centre.
Coming off a hard-fought win over minor premiers the Vipers in
the qualifying final, the younger Sparks struggled against an
extremely tough Hoppers defensive end, failing to net more than
nine goals in any quarter.
Hoppers' attack line was deadly under the post with solid centre
court service from Andrew Mitchell.
They gathered steam as the match progressed, rounding out the
match with a 17-goal final quarter assault to seal the win.
MVP: Andrew Mitchell (Hoppers Crossing).
PREMIER MIXED
The Vipers clung on for a two-goal win over South Morang in a
gripping premier mixed grand final.
Both teams' defence ends dominated early, while in the second
quarter their attacking lines picked up but could not capitalise on
the increased supply. The Vipers lead 21-15 at the long break.
South Morang moved goal keeper James Matthews into goal shooter
in the third quarter, boosting their goaling output but also
allowing the Vipers more chances at the other end, with shooter
Sophie O'Shea netting crucial long range goals throughout at both
teams scored 15 for the quarter.
South Morang's starting shooter Craig Moore moved back into
goals in the final quarter and found his feet, but the gap proved
too great to reel in.
The Vipers held on for a 43-41 win.
MVP: Caitlyn Strachan (Vipers)
DIVISION ONE MIXED
The Yarra Jive Turkeys capped their dominant end to the
season with a win over Dromanarama in the division one final.
It was a tight and physical clash from the outset and it took
until the third quarter for Yarra to get on top, with scores tied
at quarter time and just one goal separating the sides at half
time.
But a decisive 13-4 third term in which Yarra defensive
combination Rein Kivivali and Kaitlyn Black shut down Dromanarama's
goal circle allowed Yarra to exploit defensive changes at the other
end to establish a game-winning 10-goal break.
Dromanarama swung changes in the final quarter but could narrow
the gap only slightly, with Yarra running out 37-30 winners.
MVP: Adrian Ballantyne (Yarra).
DIVISION ONE MEN'S
It was another low-scoring affair in the division one men's
final as Box Hill prevailed over PV Comets 37-27.
The Comets were too inaccurate to challenge Box Hill defensive
pair Luke Janssen and Alex McPhie, while the Box Hill goalers did
enough to ensure they maintained their early advantage, marking
time in the second half to secure the win.
MVP: Luke Janssen (Box Hill).
