THE ultimate prize in the A reserve netball has come the way of Panmure for the second year in a row.
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The Bulldogs defeated Merrivale 42-24 to make it back-to-back premierships.
The challenge was thrown down to the Tigers early and they weathered the storm to take a 7-6 lead at quarter-time.
But it was a second quarter burst that lifted Panmure into a position of strength, allowing it to sprint away to a 20-11 half-time lead.
Panmure continued this dominance in the final two quarters to expand its lead to 18 at game’s end. This was a turnaround from the qualifying final result when the Tigers won, meaning the Bulldogs had to go the long way round to the reach the grand final.
Non-playing coach Mandy Van Rooy said this long way to the top worked in her team’s favour.
“We played some really consistent netball again today,” Van Rooy said.
“The wins over the two weeks leading in gave us a lot of confidence and helped us cope well when we were challenged early on today.
“That tight first quarter reminded us how good Merrivale are and made us realise we needed to be at our best to beat them.”
Panmure wing attack Margie Kenna completed a standout finals series in great fashion when she was awarded the medal for best on court.
Goal shooter Ellie Wright was brilliant with 35 goals while defenders Kirsty Williams and Annabel Davis had strong games.
For the Tigers, goal defence Brooke Thompson was adjudged her team’s best player. Nicole Batten was the leading goalscorer for the Tigers, putting in 18 for the day.
abrady@fairfaxmedia.com.au
