MILLICENT 65 d WEST GAMBIER 59
THE second semi-final between Millicent and West Gambier A Grade netballers loomed as a tight contest and it did not disappoint.
With the winner to book the first Western Border netball grand final berth, it was the Saints who claimed the honours with a six-goal win.
Both teams put in a high-quality final’s performance which had them rarely separated by more than a handful of goals.
However, a golden run Millicent late in the third and early in the last managed to set up a buffer which could not be overcome, even though the Roos threatened again late in the match.
It was the Roos who earned the early mini break and held a three-goal lead for much of the first quarter.
By the first break things had levelled out and it was tied at 16 apiece.
In typical finals fashion, neither side was able to play their free flowing style of netball.
The defensive pressure all over the court meant patience with ball in hand was the order of the day.
Demi Verbena started with a flurry as she took total control of the attacking end for Millicent.
She worked hard outside the circle but also used her speed on the front cut to either earn a shot herself or open up the back space for Tabatha Sanderson.
At the other end, the strong driving from West’s Tara Bryant caused headaches and Lisa McGregor also played offensive architect as she worked to open up opportunities for Sarah Ritter.
Ritter did not disappoint and netted 13 from 14 in the first quarter.
Sanderson and Verbena were also on song with 16 from 18 as a combination.
The second quarter followed a similar script as every player was committed to working one on one to deny their opponent time and space.
Verbena continued her hard running and accurate finishing, while Ritter and McGregor had a perfect shooting quarter.
The half-time margin was one goal in favour of the Saints.
It was then in the third quarter Millicent made its move.
Portia McRae and Hannah Nitschke started to shut down the space at the defensive end.
They not only forced some errors in delivery but took some risks and pulled in some critical interceptions.
Young Saint Lillie Paul and Lisa Duldig also applied more pressure to the feeders and the momentum started to shift, all in favour of Millicent.
Paige Nitschke, as she had all game, hit the circle hard and connected well with Verbena and Sanderson.
It was the Saints shooter’s most productive term, as Sanderson converted 13 goals from 14 attempts and pushed Millicent to a nine-goal lead at the final change.
Safe to say, though, the Roos were not done with and they started to ramp up the pressure and created some turnover ball.
They managed to reel the margin back to as close as five and had possession for four.
However, the Saints rallied and held on for a six-goal victory to book their place in the 2022 decider.
West now faces a preliminary final against reigning premier East Gambier, with a win to earn a rematch against the Saints.
Verbena and Sanderson were impressive for the victors on Saturday, while in her first A Grade final, Paul showed great determination and composure.
Ritter was again a strong target for West, while Bryant’s hard running was also pivotal.
The Roos now face a do-or-die contest against the Bulldogs tomorrow, which will be played across the border at Island Park.
