Shooting Stars firmed in favouritism for the Wagga A grade netball title when they defeated minor and reigning premiers, New Kids Aces, 46-34 in the major semi-final at Wagga Netball Centre on Saturday.
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It was the second time in two games that the Stars had inflicted defeat on the Aces, and, it seems, they may have the measure of the well-performed Aces’ side.
The Stars began with a solid first quarter in which shooting pair, Jess Wadley and Clare Vearing combined to net 13 first term goals.
Defenders, Brianna Cain, Jemima Norbury and Ruby Gooden were all in top form and continually repelled Aces attacks, to the extent that the normally high-scoring Lisa Frow and Paige Guthrie were limited to just five goals in the period.
Although a much more evenly contested second quarter followed, the Stars still held the ascendency and with smart mid court players, Michelle Forrell and Jenee West working well, the Stars went to the long interval with a 10-goal advantage.
Both teams made player substitutions at half-time with the Stars replacing Cain with Tegan Cuthbert in defence and Lily Wild taking the place of Wadley as goal shooter.
The Aces brought on champion Rachael Addison for Abbey Corbett and veteran goal defence, Lisa Reynoldson, was temporarily replaced by another in Tracy Schulz-Cole.
The new combinations didn’t take long to settle and once again the third quarter produced an evenly matched contest, with the teams trading goals for the majority of the period.
But, again, the Stars nosed ahead in their respective returns for the quarter and at the last change the Stars held what appeared to be a match-winning 12-goal lead.
With solid performances from Aces’ defenders, Reynoldson (back on court) and Marie Campbell and a busy game from centre, Abbey Fellows, the defending premiers produced their best quarter in the last, matching the Stars on the scoreboard.
But they couldn’t lessen the margin and the Stars coasted to an impressive victory and booked their place in the grand final to be played on September 12.
The Aces will have to lick their wounds and must beat an eager Uranquinty team if they are to have another crack at the title.
Uranquinty remained in contention for the premiership with a 65-50 victory over Panthers in the elimination final on Saturday.
The Greens will face a new Kids Aces team, on the rebound, in next Saturday’s preliminary final, while Panthers’ season is over.
Full-time
Shooting Stars 46 d New Kids Aces 34
Uranquinty 65 d Panthers 50
