Buoyant Blues edge Cripps to claim crown
KINGSTON Blues topped off a stellar season with an exhilarating 42-40 win over Cripps Waratah in Wednesday’s Premier League netball grand final.
Cripps had the better of the first quarter with goalies Erin Fazackerley and Kate Archer helping their side to a 12-10 lead in the first, but the second quarter was all Kingston.
Jen Hanlon’s entry into keeper for Kingston really limited Cripps access to goals as the experienced keeper combined beautifully with Gabriella
Lee to help shut down the space and with Ros Herbert and Sarah Scott working overtime out front Cripps struggled to penetrate the circle.
Karen MacLean and Millie von Stieglitz at the other end were combining beautifully in the Kingston circle as the pair were able to reward their defenders with a 23-18 lead at half time.
Cripps weren’t quite finished with though as Greta Shelton’s move from wing defence to wing attack was instrumental in mounting a comeback for the side. Shelton’s speed opened up space in
attack for Cripps providing opportunities for Fazackerley to finish well as Cripps closed the gap to one setting up an
edge of the seat last quarter.
Kingston moved Sarah Scott to wing attack and brought on Lindy Aplin into centre as the side worked to maintain their lead in the last. Cripps managed to draw level a few times but some big intercepts and touches to Lee and Hanlon and clutch shooting and huge offensive rebounding to von Stieglitz and MacLean ensured Kingston held on.
Cripps were able to turn the tables in the First Grade grand final with a 47-36 win over Kingston. It wasn’t until the last five minutes of the match that Cripps were able to pull away with Sarah Pidgeon exceptional in goals while Ellie Grace controlled the centre court brilliantly.