Hawks squeeze into the decider

NORTHERN Hawks held on in a nailbiter to book their spot in the State League netball grand final with a 60-59 win over AYC-Friends Arrows.

Arrows will now face Cavaliers, who knocked out Kingston with a strong 56-43 win.

Both teams started with some nervous misses as they went goal for goal early before Arrows opened a 18-14 lead.

Arrows’ defensive pressure lead by Zoe Gough at keeper was excellent in the second. They remained patient in attack with Kate Prins influential in the circle as they took a 33-28 lead into halftime.

Hawks turned the tide in the third with Tessa and Lydia Coote instrumental defensively. Chelsea Mawer provided patience through the centre as Hawks grabbed a 46-45 lead.

Hawks opened up a fourgoal lead early in the last, but a flying intercept to Adriana Gough with a minute to play had Arrows back within one. A break by Hawks gave Arrows the ball and a chance to draw, but an offensive contact gave Hawks back the ball and the win. Hawks coach Ruth Tuohy was proud of the determination the team showed all game.

“I’m really pleased they continued to fight into the game and kept going,” Tuohy said. “We’ll continue to work hard and have solid trainings to refine our game and get us ready for the grand final.”

Arrows assistant coach Peter Brockman, while disappointed, will look to next week.

“We didn’t execute to the best of our ability in the last quarter and panicked a bit,” he said. “But we’ve got the second chance, so we’ll be looking to work harder next week and capitalise on our turnovers.”

In the other match, Cavaliers’ defensive pressure was too much for Kingston as they led 15-8 in the first quarter, 29-18 at halftime and extended again to 41-27 heading into the last quarter.

In the under-19s, Cavaliers booked their spot in the grand final with a 64-44 win over Cripps Waratah, who will now meet Hawks who overcame Kingston 37-30.