Camperdown celebrates its Regional State League Premiers Challenge victory.
CAMPERDOWN claimed yet another premiership yesterday, taking out the Regional State League Premiers Challenge with a gutsy 51-47 win in the final against Kangaroo Flat.
It marked the third premiership in five weeks for the Magpies, who also won the Hampden league pre-season cup and Western Regional State League, the latter earning them a ticket to yesterday’s challenge.
Coach Rachel Rodger said she hoped the grand final victories would spur her side onto more success come September.
“The monkey’s off the back a little bit,” she said.
“There’s that belief now that we can win these tight contests.
“This is great but obviously the ultimate would be winning the Hampden premiership later in the year.”
Camperdown made the trek to Melbourne after Saturday’s win over Port Fairy before an action-packed day yesterday.
The black and white played three minor round matches at the State Netball Hockey Centre that were made up of 10-minute halves.
The Magpies defeated Sale (19-10), Kangaroo Flat (14-13) and Shepparton United Red (17-15).
“Against Kangaroo Flat, we were down by three in the second half,” Rodger said.
“You don’t have a lot of time to get into it so to be three down and fight back was really good and that secured our spot at Hisense (Arena).
“In the last game, we were able to change things around a bit and freshen our legs.”
The final was played at Hisense Arena as a curtain-raiser to the Melbourne Vixens-Queensland Firebirds trans-Tasman Championship clash.
About 90 Camperdown fans cheered on the Magpies, who got off to an ideal start.
“We got the first five goals of the game, which really helped us,” Rodger said.
“They fought back and got back with us in the second quarter but we pushed ahead again.”
After another comeback from Kangaroo Flat, scores were level at three-quarter-time, when a tired Camperdown refreshed its line-up.
Leah Sinnott replaced Kate Wilson in goal attack, while Caitlin Hickey and Chelsea Castles came on at wing defence and goal defence respectively. Castles provided game-changing spark.
“She got four turnovers either directly or she contributed to them, which sent the ball back down our end and we capitalised on them,” said Rodger, who highlighted her side’s defiance.
“They got a goal up in the last quarter and we could’ve tired but we kept going.”
The Magpies celebrated when they heard the final siren, as did their supporters.
“Everyone was rapt,” the coach said.
“It was an amazing feeling, especially to pull it off in front of so many supporters.”
