Netball: Firebirds win in juniors
NETBALL: The junior A grand final on Saturday was a cliff-hanger with Firebirds beating Vixens 23-21. The final was a lovely display of skill, effort and sportsmanship.
Firebirds and Vixens went into the finals after placing second and fifth in the fixture season.
If claw-back was the theme for this game then that is certainly what family, friends and spectators in general got.
Firebirds took a very early 9-1 lead and could only hope to cruise to the finish line but in true Qld Firebirds style were forced to hold on to the lead, countering comeback after comeback from the Vixens.
Twice after starting the final quarter with a considerable 19-8 lead, Vixens mounted attacks which saw them come within two goals.
However, full credit to Firebirds who took the 2015 junior A grand final with a 23-21 win.
In the junior B grand final, it was pleasing to see the improvement in this age groups' skills for the season which were displayed beautifully during the grand-final game.
Mystics jumped out to a half-time lead 8-2. The third quarter was a 6-all draw.
Steel put everything into the final quarter but was unable to close the gap.
The score did not depict the on-court game with Mystics defeating Steel 25-14.
Player of the Final
Junior A
Shooter: Lucy Mantova
Centre: Sophie Waples
Defender: Olivia Smith
Junior B
Shooter: Jessica Mullaly
Centre: Bailey Lomas
Defender: Megan Kelly
Goalshooting competition winners
NetSetGo: Matillda Lever
Junior B 8 - 10 yrs: Bethany McMahon
Junior B 11 yrs: Taylah Eastwell
Junior A 12 yrs: Holly Roche
Junior A 13 yrs: Taylah Hoffman
Junior A 14 yrs: Georgia Waples
Finals scores
Junior A - Firebirds 23 d Vixens 21
Junior B - Mystics 25 d Steel 14