TRFM Gippsland League has proven a dominant force in the Eastern Regional State League netball competition, winning two of the three titles on offer last weekend.
The 17-and-under team completed a perfect season by defeating East Gippsland 45-33, before the open team claimed a 54-41 win against Morwell Indoor Navy in Friday night’s grand finals at Latrobe Leisure Churchill.
The 15-and-under side was not so lucky, falling one goal short against East Gippsland in its grand final at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex in Sale on Sunday.
TRFM Gippsland League operations manager Matt Ogilvie praised the efforts of all three teams.
"Commiserations to the East Gippsland and Morwell indoor Navy teams, they fought valiantly throughout the competition and the grand finals, but it was a credit to our girls, who fought hard all night and were able to counter every attack that was thrown at them," Ogilvie said.
"You always want to win in grand finals, but at under-15 level where most of our girls are bottom age it was a great effort to push the East Gippsland team to the final minutes and we hope that most of these girls come back next year better for the experience."
Both teams started nervously in the 17-and-under grand final and it was a tight tussle throughout the game.
Gippsland stretched its lead to six goals midway through the third quarter, but, not to be outdone, the East Gippsland team fought back to close the margin going into the last quarter.
However, it was Gippsland that fought off the gallant East Gippsland comeback to run out winners 45-33 and raise the silverware.
Daisy Hill from Traralgon was awarded the most valuable player award for the match and named in the all-star team, along with Gippsland teammates Paige Biddle, Ella Henderson, Taylah Ferguson and Shannon Freeman.
Gippsland was able to jump out to an early lead in the open grand final and while Morwell Indoor Navy worked its way back into the game, the quick and classy transition of the Gippsland team proved too strong.
Taylah Bott was named MVP for the match and her Gippsland teammate Ramayer Gourley was named MVP for the competition.
Ramayer, Courtney Blair, Stacey O’Brien and Allison Petrou were named in the all-star team.
East Gippsland’s clinical transition and dead-eye shooting to half-time proved the difference in the 15-and-under decider.
The game came down to the final minutes, with Gippsland taking the lead, only to have it be taken back with less than one minute to play to fall 36-35.
Ogilvie thanked everyone involved with all the TRFM Gippsland League teams for their efforts throughout the competition.
"Hats off to all the coaches, scorers, primary carers, support staff, parents and other volunteers that have helped the Gippsland teams over the past two months," he said.
"These teams wouldn’t be able to compete without the support of the people around them and it is a credit to everyone involved in giving up their time to help our teams."
The 17-and-under team will now play other region premiers in a round-robin tournament at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Sunday, April 19, while the open team takes on the winner of the Central Highlands region in a curtain raiser to the Melbourne Vixens game at Hisense Arena.
Last Modified on 02/04/2015 16:24