Natureland Force has completed a fairytale finish to the season after they defeated the minor premiers the Saints Comets Halleys 35-26 in Saturday’s Macleay Netball Association grand final.
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The Force finished the regular season in third position but won two elimination games in consecutive weeks before taking out the decider against the heavily favoured Comets.
The Force improved drastically towards the end of the season, as the side full of new players began to build on their combinations in both attack and defence.
The side was rewarded for their hard work as they broke the hearts of the Comets, who were searching for back-to-back premierships.
Umpires Georgie Murphy and Carla Smith announced the Mavin Truck Centre Most Valuable Players of the division one grand final and they were Lucy Anderson and Bridget Plunkett.
In the Division Two A grand final, the South West Rocks Stingrays were far too strong for the Saints Comets Swifts as they ran away with a 33-20 victory.
Meanwhile in the Division Three grand final, the Macleay 12’s were bested by the Macleay 13’s 23-21 in a close battle.
The junior teams also played out their grand finals at the Pam Guyer Netball Centre on Saturday.
The Under-12s division went down to the wire.
The Crescent Head Seabirds secured a nail-biting 21-20 victory over the South West Rocks Swordfish.
The Under-13s grand final was won by the South West Rocks Pearls as they outlasted the Frederickton Devils 32-23.
The Under-15s grand final was claimed by the Natureland Lightning, as proved too classy as they defeated the Crescent Head Manta Rays 33-21.
The Under-10s and Under-11s also played on grand final day but the games were social and non-competitive.
The players now turn their attentions to the Tuesday night Twilight competition.
The second round of the 2018 North Coast regional league will be held on Sunday September 16 in Kempsey.
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