By Tara Murray
Melton South claimed its first Ballarat Netball League premiership when the Panthers E-grade side took home the silverware on Saturday.
Playing in the league’s newest competition, the Panthers were the team to beat all season, losing just one game.
On Saturday, they were pushed all the way by Ballarat, which finished the regular season in third spot.
The Panthers led at every break, but every time they looked to start to go away with the game, the Swans responded.
The margin was two goals at quarter-time and in the end it was the final margin and the Panthers won, 27-25.
Panthers coach Alan Watson said his side earned the win.
“They thoroughly deserved to be in the grand final, and the pressure that Ballarat put on was fantastic … it went down to the wire and it was just a matter of a couple of turnovers here and there,” he said.
“We were able to absorb the pressure and thoroughly deserved to win the grand final.”
Watson said the key was keeping the pressure on every time the Swans looked like they might get a run on.
“Credit to the girls, they got turnovers at crucial times, that impacted the game and scoreboard.
“At the end of the day, the better team won.”
Ann Ward and Georgia Blyth shared the goals around with 14 and 13 respectively for the Panthers.
Panthers Brittney Lenon was named best on court.
Watson said the side was unable to train due to work commitments.
He said when given the option to put in an E-grade team they decided they had the numbers and they would be silly not to.
“They just turn up and play and had a fantastic attitude all year. They just wanted to be out there and have fun and they got reward for the hard work they’ve put in.”
Watson said the result was reward for the whole club. It was the first time the club had a netball team in a senior grand final, let alone win a premiership.
“I’m very pleased for the girls,” he said.
“I’m sure they’ll celebrate long and hard.”
In the other netball finals, North Ballarat City won the A-grade, Lake Wendouree won the B-grade, D-grade and under-19s, while the Sunbury Lions won the C-grade grand final.
