CONGRATULATIONS is in order for three of the city’s talented netball players who last weekend took part in the National Netball Championship.
Molly Watson, Jordyn Adams and Nyah Allen were part of South Australia’s National Netball Championship 17 and Under three-peat on Sunday in the close clash against rivals Victoria in front of a home crowd at Priceline Stadium.
It is the third consecutive year the South Australian side has claimed the gold medal in the nationals.
To top off an already amazing experience for the Mount Gambier netballers, Watson was named as the most valuable player of the championship, while Nyah Allen was awarded most valuable player in the gold medal match.
Both Allen and Watson have recently made the move to Adelaide to continue their education, while furthering their netball careers and these results show it is paying off.
South Australia defeated rivals Victoria in the championship match by 14 goals in front of a home crowd at Priceline Stadium on Sunday.
It was a shaky start for the South Australian side, which saw them face a seven-goal deficit at quarter time.
However, the reigning champions settled and stepped up to equal the score 18-18 by half time.
From there, there was no looking back and the hosts outscored their Victorian opponents 12 goals to three in the third quarter.
The pressure lifted in the final stanza, but South Australia held onto its nerves and again extended its lead to win 40-26 by the final whistle.
South Australian coach Lee-Anne Cummins said the message at the quarter time break, when her team trailed 7-13, was to remain calm.
“The message was just to refocus and get back to what they do well,” she said.
“I knew if we could re-group what our focus was, and our game plan had been and execute that well, then they would certainly be competitive.”
In the end, South Australia proved too strong and Cummins was proud of the young netballers ability to make a come-back after a tough opening term.
“It’s amazing – for some of these girls its back-to-back,” she said.
“For me personally, I have been working with some wonderful young athletes who are coming through the pathway, which is fantastic.”
Star shooter and South Australian captain, Lucy Austin was overjoyed following the win.
“I’m so proud of all of the girls.” she said.
“Every member of the team stepped up and did their job, and we pushed it out for the 40 minutes.
“It’s honestly amazing.
“It’s the best thing in the world and nothing compares to this.”
Meanwhile, former Mount Gambier netballers Mary Wilson and Sienna Allen also took part in the national championships.
The duo was a part of the 19 and Under South Australian team, which also reached the gold medal final.
However, South Australia allowed Victoria to take an early lead in the contest that proved too difficult to reel in.
The hosts did minimise the deficit, but Victoria took the honours with a 31-26 victory.
