Swan Reach will get an opportunity at claiming the Omeo District “A” grade netball premiership after easily accounting for Lindenow South in last Saturday’s prelim final at Bruthen.
The Swans will meet their semi final conqueror Omeo Benambra and redemption will be in their mind after a sterling prelim performance saw them defeat the Swampies by 19 goals.
Swan Reach started outstandingly, shooting 20 goals to 13 to open up a seven-goal quarter time lead.
Swans coach Danielle Ryan matched her opposition’s scoring output in the first quarter with 13 goals herself, a strong response after a sluggish start to the side’s semi final.
The Swampies hit back in the second quarter to reduce the margin to six, however Ryan again stepped up in the final quarter with 11 goals as the Swans outscored their opponents by 13 in the second half to win comfortably.
Lindenow South gun goal shooter Tash Fehst scored all bar one of the Swampies 45 goals, however it wasn’t enough.
The Swans moved runner-up league best and fairest Tegan Benedetti back into the centre after using her in wing attack during the semi final loss. Benedetti played four brilliant quarters in the midcourt to ensure the Swans had the ball flowing smoothly from start to finish.
Swan Reach also won through to the “B” grade grand final, despite trailing Lindenow South going into the final quarter.
In a low scoring battle South had the advantage heading into the last, however the Swans almost doubled their output for the first three quarters shooting nine goals to claim a four-goal victory. The move of Charli Stephenson from goal attack to goal shooter proved a masterstroke with the sharpshooter contributing seven final quarter goals.
The Swans completed a successful day on the netball court with an eight-goal win in the under 17s over Omeo Benambra. A strong third quarter proved the difference, the Swans shooting 11 goals to five to put the result beyond doubt.
FINAL SCORES
“A” grade: Swan Reach 64 d Lindenow South 45.
“B” grade: Swan Reach 20 d Lindenow South 16.
17 and under: Swan Reach 28 d Omeo Benambra 20.
