Sharks truly turn tide with finals in sight

NETBALL A RESURGENT Sharks Division One netball team are fine tuning their game for finals after a winless season in 2016.

The in-form Sharks soundly beat Bungalow Cutters running out 41-20 victors at Martyn Street Sports Park on Monday night.

Sharks goal shooter Louise Dutton was in typically devastating form and combined well with Wing Attack Amanda Barton at the offensive end.

But Dutton said the Sharks defence, led by teenage goal keeper Claudia Philp, were the difference against the Cutters.

“The score probably looks convincing but I felt it was a bit scrappy,” Dutton said.

“In the end, our defenders won the game for us.

After a difficult 2016, Dutton said the Sharks were much improved.

“We’ve recruited some height which has helped,” she said.

“But our new coach Jennie Kumar has made a world of difference. One thing we have done this year is improve as individuals as well.”

In the other Division One result, Saints defeated Brothers Leprechauns 48-32.

Sharks play Saints next week then will most likely face each other again in their first semi-final the following week.

In the Division One Reserves, certainly Scorchers have paid heartfelt tribute to teammate Claire Tucker in their 33-25 win against Sharks.

Tucker is battling serious injuries at Cairns Hospital after being found at the bottom of a pedestrian bridge in Earlville at the weekend.

Cairns Netball Association operations manager Kym Mcphee-Smith said the netball community had rallied around Tucker and her teammates.

“The Scorchers team played on Monday night,” McpheeSmith said.

“As a group they felt that’s what Claire would have wanted. They were all very emotional and upset.

Scorchers wore rainbow coloured ribbons for the beautician who played last year’s grand final with the Lightning.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Tucker. To date, more than $17,000 had been raised to help cover medical bills and expenses.