BREAKING: Mount Pleasant has achieved a stunning upset against White Hills, securing a place in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DNFL A-grade netball grand final. In an electrifying preliminary final held at Elmore Recreation Reserve, the Blues triumphed with a 45-40 victory, marking their first win over the Demons in more than a decade.
The match unfolded dramatically, with the Demons initially leading 23-21 at halftime. However, the second half saw Mount Pleasant surge, scoring an impressive 18 goals while limiting White Hills to just five in a pivotal third quarter. By the final whistle, the Blues had overturned past performances, having been defeated by 23 and 8 goals in earlier encounters this season.
Coach Anthea McCleary praised her team’s resilience. “We took confidence from our previous close match against White Hills and brought that energy into the preliminary final,” she stated. Mount Pleasant’s momentum is palpable as they prepare for a showdown against the unbeaten Colbinabbin in the grand final this Saturday, July 15, 2023.
Colbinabbin, coached by Jen McIntyre, has been a formidable force, having finished as runner-up for the past two seasons. They will pose a significant challenge for the Blues, who are eager to capitalize on their recent success.
In addition to the A-grade clash, the preliminary finals featured several thrilling matchups. Colbinabbin narrowly defeated Mount Pleasant 46-44 in the A-reserve category, while the Blues edged out White Hills 52-51 in B-reserve. Other notable results included Huntly defeating Mount Pleasant 51-35 in B-grade, and White Hills winning 49-48 against the Huntly Hawks in the 15-and-under division.
The grand finals at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve promise to be action-packed, featuring five clubs in contention. The schedule is set for multiple matches, with the 17-and-under game kicking off at 8:30 AM between Huntly and Mount Pleasant, followed by the 13-and-under contest at the same time featuring Lockington Bamawm United versus Colbinabbin.
Fans can expect a highly competitive environment as teams vie for glory. The grand final match for A-grade between Mount Pleasant and Colbinabbin is scheduled for 2:30 PM, and the anticipation is building.
As the excitement unfolds, fans and players alike are gearing up for what could be a historic moment for Mount Pleasant. Stay tuned for live updates and results from the grand finals as they happen.
