Heading into the game equal points, the winner would be guaranteed fourth position. Ultimately, it was the Sharks who prevailed 54-53 in a game which saw the momentum shift both ways.
Rangers got off to a small lead early, but the Sharks were determined to stay in the game. The second quarter saw a big surge the way of the Sharks as they won the term by eight goals.
This quarter would prove decisive as neither team could move the margin in the third term and the Rangers tried to stage a late comeback in the fourth.
The Sharks were just able to hold on by splitting their goal scoring between Indi Strom and Riley Burd with 27 Goals each. This was compared to the Rangers who relied on the one shooter in Emily Crammond with 46 Goals.
The win ensures the Sharks hopes of a first 20/U Division trophy stay alive and they will face the Comets in the Elimination Final on Friday Night at the Gold Netball Centre.
The Western Roar completed their flawless regular season with their 14th straight win of the season against the Demons 57-45.
The Demons began strongly, winning the first quarter by two goals but they couldn’t quite keep up with the dominant Roar side who bounced back in the second.
Not even 40 Goals by leading shooter Chelsea Cook could keep her side in the game as the Roar slowly but surely extended their lead.
Despite the loss, Demons will still finish second and will face Roar again this week in the Qualifying Final for a spot in the Grand Final.
A fast start for the Sharks in the Open Division was enough for them to hold on for a close win over the Rangers 60-53.
A seven-goal lead for the Sharks after the first quarter was enough of a buffer as the remaining three quarters were all extremely close.
Sharks Goal Shooter Larissa Harrison netted 40 Goals at 91 per cent and was instrumental in her side coming home with the win.
Even with the win and the Demons losing their game against the Roar, the results weren’t enough to move the Sharks into third, finishing equal on points but two per cent behind the Demons.
The Roar bookended their game with dominant quarters, scoring 20 goals in the first and winning the fourth by six goals. Sophia Lamers and Emma Putt combined for 57 goals, while the Demons spread their goals across Kelsey McPhee (26), Nat Butler (11), Meg Gallager (9), Rebecca Lill (3) and Ashleigh Neal (1).
With the Comets winning their game against the Jets, they will face the Roar in the Qualifying Final while the Demons will play the Sharks in the Elimination Final.
The Men’s Division saw a preview for next week’s finals as the Roar beat the Warriors 61-45 and the Comets overcame the Demons 55-37.
The Warriors started with fire, staying within touching distance of the Roar for the first quarter, but eventually the Roar’s class shone through. They were able to dominate the second and third quarters by seven and eight goals respectively.
While the Warriors were able to stop the onslaught in the final term, they still couldn’t get any momentum back as the Roar closed out the game calmly.
Round 14 Results
Opens
Comets 67 defeated Jets 44
Roar 66 defeated Demons 50
Warriors 58 defeated Lightning 47
Sharks 60 defeated Rangers 53
20/U
Warriors 48 defeated Lightning 34
Comets 62 defeated Jets 41
Roar 57 defeated Demons 45
Sharks 54 defeated Rangers 53
Men’s
Comets 55 defeated Demons 37
Roar 61 defeated Warriors 45
20/U Finals
Friday 30 June 2023
Gold Netball Centre, Jolimont
Qualifying Final
6.30pm Roar v Demons
Elimination Final
8.00pm Comets v Sharks
Watch both final free on Kayo Freebies
