JUNIOR BOYS NETBALL 'CHAMPIONS'

2015 STATE FINALS

On Monday 24 August, our Junior Boys Netball team attended the State Finals at Waverley Netball Centre.

Our first game was against Lavalla Catholic College from Gippsland region. The game started fast paced from both teams, with each centre pass resulting in goals for both teams. It wasn’t until the second half, that we gained our composure and started attacking the ball in the mid court, finding space and ultimately goals. Result: 21-12.

Game two was against Williamstown High School. The opposition was small and quick. The team had an exceptional shooter who got a quick succession of goals in the first few minutes of the game. However, the attack was quickly shut down by our defensive duo in Connor Walker (GK) and Jack Hourihan (GD). The play started to shift our way, with our shooters Riley Spicer (GA) and Brodie Horsley and Jasper Smith (GS) starting to rattle the defence with all their goals. Again it was our starring mid court players in Beau Tennant and Bailey Rae (C), Jack Bateman (WA) and Lachlan Johnson (WD) who assisted in moving the ball towards our goal. Result: 27-10.

Game three was against Bendigo South East Secondary College. This match was moved onto the outside courts. This was another quick match, with lots of turnovers from each side, possibly due to similar colour bibs. The bib issue was rectified at the second quarter and we seemed to find our playing style. Result: 24-9.

We were the overall Winners of Pool A which put us in the semi-final against the runner up of Pool B which was Mornington Secondary College. This team tried to intimidate our boys playing football tactics (tagging and spoiling) rather than netball strategies. But our boys kept a level head, out playing them in every aspect of the game and let the scoreboard do the talking. Result: 27-9.

The GRAND FINAL was against Lavalla Catholic College who we played in the first round. There was no rest between the semi-final and final. It was take your positions please. Game on! 

This was the game we had to win. Unfortunately, our first centre pass was converted into an opposition goal and was quickly followed by a second goal.  After that, the momentum kept swinging for both teams; when they were in attack and able to get the ball to their incredibly tall GS there was not much our boys in defence could do, except hope he missed and snatch a rebound. It was thrilling to see them rebound successfully, on several occasions, in the final quarter. 

As was the flavour of the day, our boys really stepped it up in the second half, swinging the momentum of the match our way for the win. It was a superb team effort.  Result: 20-14.

The boys believed they could win state finals and they did just that!

It was our pleasure to teach, train and coach the boys in the sport of Netball.

Watch out Diamonds, the LHS Junior Boys want the GREEN AND GOLD next!

Emma Cook and Mary Rowson