The Tyabb A Grade Yabbies have been crowned this years Nepean Netball Premiers!
The stage was set for the big game. 2pm, the sun was shining, there was a slight cooling breeze, and the crowd was out in force with their streamers, their club polo tops and their vocal chords prepped for a big day of cheering.
The girls were introduced, lined up, and set an imposing line across the transverse, standing as one with linked arms as the national anthem was played.
The first whistle and the umpires made it clear that there would be no tolerance for stretching the rules today. Everything was being picked up and enforced. Tyabb adjusted well.
Crib Point got off to the quick lead with some strong shooting from captain Laura Herrington. However Tyabb clawed back, worked hard, driven by the defensive end of Watto, Kayla and Hose all connecting up well, and by 1/4 time were back to level pegging and came into the huddle at 8 -8.
The second quarter, Watto and Kayla started asserting their dominance, with some big rebounds and beautiful cover. Kiz began to really get under her opponents skin as she played assertively and with confidence. There were some big momentum swings in this quarter. First to Tyabb then back to Crib Points advantage, but again we came into half time break level scores at 20 - 20.
They call the 3rd Quarter the premiership quarter. Again another quarter of huge momentum swings, Tyabb took some outstanding intercepts but then threw the ball away within the space of a few seconds. We came into the last break 2 points down.
Coach Steve, made a change at 3/4 time moving Teesh from WA into C and Sharn into WA. This moved proved a masterstroke as Teesh slowed the game down beautifully, and Sharn absolutely dominated her opponent and provided inspiring drive into Birgitta and Kiz in the circle. In the blink of the eye the Yabbies had closed down the 2 point deficet!
The noise levels were off the richter, both teams shouting and willing their teams to victory. The final few minutes of the game became a bit of a blur, Im sure everyone has their own version of it, but this is how i remember those dying few moments!
Kiz was given a penalty, there was only seconds to go! Kiz passes the ball with precision accuracy into Birg, Birg puts up the dukes and takes the ball down and draws contact by the GK. The siren goes, Birg has a penalty shot on goal. If she makes the shot she wins the game for the Tyabb Yabbies.
These are the moments in sport that every person normally only ever has the opportunity to dream of. Birg had the opportunity to play out this dream yesterday.
She took a deep breath, put up the shot, and the ball went in the ring! The crowd ERUPTED!!! The players screamed with complete excitement, the coaching staff punched the air, we all embraced, stacks on, cried, laughed, hugged - loved ones, supporters, friends, family, teamates filled the court, the girls had realised their goal. They had made this dream a reality.
Jeff Jones announced the Tyabb Yabbies were the Nepean Netball A Grade Premiers for 2014 and it was one of the best games of netball the League has ever seen in its 6 year history. He then announced that Catilyn "Watto" Watson had won the "Best on Court" medal for her effort in GK. Watto burst into tears of joy and her teammates screamed with excitment. This girl is a gem, she started with the club as our umpire, and we begged her to join us as a player in 2011. She has now won premiership number two, taken a best on court and is playing the netball of her life!
The girls were handed the 2014 Premiers silverware! Spectators got some brilliant photos and then it was time to belt out a remdition of the Tyabb theme song.
Congratulations to the girls for their tremendous effort this year. An undefeated season and the ultimate prize a premiership. Premierships are hard to come by, some people never get the opoprtunity to experience such elation. But these girls are going to be bound by this amazing event for the rest of their lives. Its something you will never forget and our club will never forget.
TYABB YABBIES PREMIERS 2014 - YOU BEAUTY!
Last Modified on 14/09/2014 17:58