SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
REVIEW – WEEK 1 FINALS
Beaconsfield are one step closer to advancing through to a grand final after outlasting Narre Warren in a fascinating A Grade qualifying final on Saturday at Holm Park, 50-42.
The Eagles came in as slight favourites after having an absolutely outstanding second half of the season, but were going to get a stern challenge against a Magpies outfit capable of taking it right up to the best sides in the competition.
It was an even start on the court, with both sides going into quarter time 8-8. As they have done all season, Bianca Sanzaro, Ashleigh Gill and Kaela Hughes all lifted immensely to slowly but surely assert their control and run away winners.
It sets up a mouth-watering semi-final clash with minor premiers, Tooradin-Dalmore, at Holm Park this weekend, with the Eagles the only side to inflict the Seagulls with a loss this season.
Cranbourne, meanwhile, put in a sublime elimination final performance against Doveton at Edwin Flack Reserve on Sunday, 45-21.
The Eagles got off to a hot start to surge out to a five goal lead at quarter time, and unfortunately for the Doves, they were unable to reel the deficit back and allowed the likes of Steph Ryan, Natalie Sparks and Tahlia Coates to do plenty of damage.
As a result of the win, the Eagles take on Narre Warren in what looms as a terrific semi-final battle between the two clubs.
In B Grade, Beaconsfield also got the job done by pipping Tooradin-Dalmore in the qualifying final, 34-40.
The Eagles played a terrific brand of netball to outdo the second placed Seagulls, who actually finished two games lower than their opponents.
In the elimination final battle, Doveton got the job done as expected against ROC, with the Doves keeping pace with some of the top sides in the division, 51-35.
The Doves enjoyed a solid home and away season and were perhaps unlucky not to be given a double chance in the top four, but were far too classy for the Kangaroos, who put in a commendable effort considering.
There was even more success for Beaconsfield in C Grade, who defeated Tooradin-Dalmore in a qualifying final, 46-40.
The Eagles got the job done in a tense affair with their rivals to advance through to a semi-final.
In the elimination final, Doveton picked up a win to keep their season alive against ROC, 37-27.
And in D Grade action, Tooradin-Dalmore got over Beaconsfield in an absolute belter to kick the senior finals off, 32-27.
A terrific game of netball treated the crowd, but the Seagulls did just enough to claim the win, and will take a great deal of confidence out of the result.
Narre Warren, meanwhile, knocked Cranbourne out of the finals with a 29-17 elimination final victory.
