SHARKS PREVAIL

Title drought ends in overtime thriller

WGC Sharks have claimed their first Cairns Netball Association Division 1 premiership in more than a decade with a one-point victory over the Leprechauns.

The Sharks pipped the Leps by the narrowest of margins, taking out a thrilling overtime decider 46-45.

After dropping their first game of the season to the Leps in the major semi-final, the minor premiers were determined to reverse the result at the weekend.

Sharks coach Jennie Kumar said she was proud of the way her side bounced back.

“We found out the girls didn’t like losing,” she said.

“Plus, it had always been in our plan from when I joined the club three years ago that a premiership was something we wanted to achieve.

“We felt this year was the best year for us to really get out there and finish the job.”

The Sharks’ first premiership since 2008 carried extra significance for Kumar. “I’m actually taking a year off because I’ve just come through the other side of breast cancer,” she said.

“It was a really nice way to start my break. I finally got to tick off that premiership in A grade for myself and for the club. It’s a nice, nice feeling.”

Sharks’ Michaela Kadlecek was named the grand final’s most valuable player.

“She was a real leader through the court with our captain Amanda Barton (pictured right),” Kumar said.

“Usually your defenders don’t get as many accolades, but my backline did an amazing job, too.”

Leps coach Kym McPheeSmith said she was far from disappointed, despite her side being on the wrong end of the result.

“How could you be? It was such a great contest between two really quality teams,” she said.

“Everyone’s been saying how intense and nailbiting the game was – people couldn’t even watch. It was a cracker.”