B Reserve and Under 17 Lions finish on top

The ecstatic faces of B Reserve and Under 17 Netball teams, after they both clinched Grand Final wins, to walk away 2023 season premiers. Full story Page 19. Images supplied.

By Jasmine Gregory - Hay Lions

Hay B Reserve Netballers played against Murrabit in the Grand Final on Saturday. Hay took the court undefeated and were hoping it would stay that way.

The week off was proving detrimental as Hay were struggling with their connections in their attacking end, but Trish Jamieson and Leonnie Laracy pushed through to the first whistle where some strategic moves were made that would prove to be pivotal to the outcome. At first quarter break it was Hay six Murrabit 10.

Sophie Tapper was moved in to Goal Shooter which provided Hay with a target under the ring.

Hay was starting to settle and knew that their first quarters are typically their warming up quarter, and that was now in the past so were determined to focus on clawing the lead back, and at half time the score was now 20 each.

Third quarter saw Hay find a touch of confidence that appeared missing thus far, and through the hands of Kylie Brettschneider, Hay was performing much better.

Their deliveries into the circle improved and the defensive end of Emily Caughey and Jess Weymouth picked off a number of balls which were converted. Talitha Brown was having a solid game in WA whist our trio of wing defences of Kirsten Hutchings, Kate Digby and Kate Moran stood strong against fast and agile WAs. At the third whistle the score was Hay 33 Murrabit 29.

Trish Jamieson led by example and presented for every centre pass and was successful. Hay’s goals were going in comfortably by this stage and they could sniff a victory coming. Coach Leonnie Laracy was extremely proud of the whole team effort. The final score was Hay 46 to Murrabit 39.Congratulations also goes to Sophie Tapper who earned the Best on Court award for the B Reserve game. Sophie dominated under the goal ring and displayed great resilience when things got tough. She provided Hay a target in the goal circle where her hands and athleticism could be trusted to get the job done for Hay.

Sophie played a game of netball well above her years, exhibiting immense poise and focus and was very deserving of this award.

Under 17's - In a thrilling grand final game that had fans at the edge of their seats, Hay Lions Under 17s won against the undefeated Ultima Roos on a sunny Saturday morning in Murrabit. Both teams showcased their skills and determination, in an unforgettable game.

The opening quarter saw both teams neck and neck, with each goal answered by the other. The brilliance of Lucy Shea in the centre and the quick agility of Poppy Barnes in WA ensured excellent passes and feeding opportunities for Hay's shooters, Sienna Lund and Sophie Tapper.

The result was an explosive start, with the first quarter finishing with the score deadlocked at nine goals each.

The second quarter introduced a twist to the game when Sienna Lund rolled her ankle and had to come off the court. Coach Jade Auldist made a pivotal decision, moving Emily Caughey from GD to GA, showcasing Emily’s versatility and game understanding. Kodi Scott, typically a GK, stepped up to take on the role of GD with dedication and poise. This strategic move kept Hay in contention, and at halftime, they held a lead of 19 to 18. As the third quarter began, Ultima Roos mounted a comeback. Their defenders doubled up on Sophie Tapper under the ring, but Emily Caughey, now playing GA, adapted and skilfully kept the Ultima GD out of the circle, creating more scoring opportunities for Sophie. Despite Ultima's momentum, Kodi Scott's valiant efforts couldn't be ignored.

She called for a substitution and Sienna Lund (ankle strapped) returned to GA, while Emily Caughey resumed her role as GD.

Together, they initiated a turnaround, concluding the third quarter with Ultima leading 29 to 26. The fourth quarter witnessed remarkable interceptions by Emily Hill in GK and relentless pressure from Emily Taylor in WD leading to crucial turnovers and scoring opportunities for Hay.

The encouragement from Ella Harrison and Kodi Scott on the bench, coupled with Coach Auldist’s passionate guidance, fueled the girls' resolve. They chipped away at Ultima's lead throughout the quarter, ultimately securing the win with a final score of Hay 40 to Ultima 36.

Congratulations to the Hay Lions on their well-deserved win.

Congratulations Lucy shea on Winning the Best on Court in the grand final. A testament to her incredible talent and hard work. Her performance in the centre position was nothing short of fantastic, as she ran tirelessly, delivered beautiful passes down the court, and displayed exceptional leadership throughout the game. Lucy’s crucial intercepts were game-changers!