A “STILL shaking” Wedderburn coach Susie Lockhart has heaped praise on Boort’s A Grade netballers after last Saturday’s nail-biting second semi-final.
The unbeaten Redbacks got home by a goal, relying on a dominant 15-9 third quarter to sneak over the line and move into the grand final.
The Magpies must regroup against Sea Lake Nandaly in the preliminary final to earn another crack at Wedderburn.
Boort led at half-time and made a dramatic run in the last quarter with the match’s last five goals after Wedderburn got out to a six-goal lead.
“Credit where credit is due,” Lockhart said.
“They played so well, took our space away, and made us do things we normally don’t do.”
She said her team needed to ensure it was switched on from the start.
“We have got to go back and really talk about how we entered the game, not expecting them to come out so strongly.”
Another week off for the Redbacks means just one match in three weeks.
“We’ve got to work through this,” Lockhart said.
“We’d probably prefer to play again, but you want to get to a grand final – we’re pretty happy to be there.”
Boort coach Carly Isaac had the ball when time ran out.
“I thought it was a draw at the time, so I wasn’t in the biggest hurry.
“I wasted a bit of time there,” she lamented.
However, Isaac admitted that she was content to front up again on Saturday rather than missing another week.
“We didn’t really need to win, and we finished the game how we wanted to finish with the last five goals.”
Sophie Perryman and Georgia Haw were Boort’s best along with shooter Steph Wilson, who had one of her best games for the season after returning from having a baby, Isaac said.
The match lived up to expectations, played at a furious pace that produced plenty of turnovers. At quarter time, the scores were locked away at 11 apiece, with neither side able to gain an edge.
The second term remained tightly contested. The Redbacks made positional changes in search of momentum, but it was Boort who edged ahead to take a slender one-goal lead into the main break.
As the physicality lifted in the third quarter, Wedderburn made further adjustments that proved effective. They capitalised on their opportunities and built the biggest lead of the game, five goals, heading into three-quarter time.
Boort responded strongly in the final term, with midcourt changes sparking a surge that brougt them back within one goal. An injury forced a late reshuffle that initially unsettled the Magpies, but they regained composure to challenge in the dying minutes. In the end, Wedderburn held firm to claim a thrilling one-goal victory.
The Redbacks stamped their authority early in the B Grade clash with Calder United, moving the ball fluently in attack and finishing with accuracy. 
Their defensive unit applied relentless pressure, forcing Calder United to work hard for every score while also claiming clean intercepts.
The Lions tested a number of combinations throughout the match in search of momentum, but were unable to match Wedderburn’s consistency across the court. The Redbacks claimed every quarter and ran out convincing winners.
Wedderburn was also up against Calder United in the C Grade semi-final and settled quickly into the match, scoring early and taking a strong 9–2 lead before Calder United found their rhythm.  Calder responded well, closing the gap to just two goals by quarter time.
The second quarter was dominated by Calder, who connected strongly through the court and capitalised on opportunities to swing the momentum in their favour. By half time, they had taken control, leading 30–23.
The third quarter proved evenly matched, with both sides working hard to maintain possession and apply pressure.
In the final term, Calder United built on their attacking connections, with their goalers rotating effectively and rewarding the team’s hard work. Calder steadied and extended their lead, running out comfortable winners.
Boort booked a spot in the C Reserve grand final despite Sea Lake Nandaly starting the match positively, forcing numerous turnovers and converting accurately in the goal circle. 
However, Boort gained composure, and through patience with ball movement, they were able to work their way back into the contest to trail by just one goal at quarter time.
Boort continued their disciplined play in the second quarter, capitalising on opportunities and stretching the margin to five goals by the main break.
Midway through the third quarter, positional changes helped the Tiger’s attacking end settle, and their defensive pressure was rewarded with turnovers that were converted to goals. The margin was reduced to only three by three-quarter time, setting up a tight final term.
In the last quarter, Boort regained control, lifting their intensity and applying scoreboard pressure to extend their lead. Despite Sea Lake Nandaly’s persistence, Boort steadied to take a well-earned victory.
In the under 14 A match, both Boort and Birchip Watchem  started strongly, with each converting their first centre pass. 
Boort made the most of their height advantage in the goal circle to take a narrow two-goal lead into quarter time. Birchip-Watchem opened the second quarter positively, regaining a centre pass early. 
Precision passing from both sides allowed for flowing netball, while defensive units continued to read the play well and restrict scoring opportunities. At half time, Boort maintained their two-goal advantage.
In the third quarter, Birchip  Watchem’s defenders provided numerous opportunities, and their shooters capitalised when given the chance. However, Boort’s circle defence was a formidable force. At the other end, Boort’s shooters remained consistent, extending the lead to five goals at three-quarter time.
With nothing to lose, Birchip-Watchem made several positional changes entering the final quarter, which proved effective before Boort steadied,