Mitiamo won its first Loddon Valley Netball Association A-grade title since 2005 with a stunning upset of YCW at Inglewood today.
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The Superoos jumped out of the blocks and then held their nerve during a spirited YCW comeback to triumph 47-39.
It was the second season in a row YCW has lost the grand final after starting as favourites. Last year, YCW’s only loss for the season came in the grand final, while today’s defeat was just the Eagles’ second of 2012.
Mitiamo showed its intentions early in the match, scoring the first six goals before YCW settled.
The Superoos controlled the mid-court through centre Amelia Ludeman – who was best on court - wing defence Tamara Grant and wing attack Sarah Ludeman, while goalers Laura Spence and Stella Calder were on fire.
YCW trailed 15-9 at quarter time and fought its way back in the second term to only face a three-goal deficit, 25-22, at the main break.
Eagles playing-coach Christie Griffiths lifted her team in wing attack, with good support from wing defence Bree Bentley and centre Jessica Moroni.
The Eagles looked set to overrun the Roos in the third term, but could never get the deficit to less than two goals despite the best efforts of its mid-court as well as goalers Cara Bastian and Jamie Lee Clohesy.
YCW’s defence-end also began to get on top, with Laura Hamilton making some crucial interceptions in goal defence opposed to Spence, while goal keeper Lauren Coghill kept Calder quiet.
Mitiamo led 34-30 at three-quarter time and it looked as though a thrilling final term was to come.
However, the Superoos once again started a quarter in super fashion, scoring the first three goals to set up a margin the Eagles couldn’t come back from.
Mitiamo’s lead blew out to 10 goals late in the quarter, before the Eagles scored the final two goals.
In other matches, YCW won the B-grade grand final 46-38 against Mitiamo, with the Eagles’ Alex Lacy named best on court.
YCW went down in the C-grade grand final against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 37-34, but thrashed Mitiamo in the 15-and-unders 50-29.
Mitiamo took the honours in the C-reserve grand final with Inglewood 43-40, while Pyramid Hill defeated Marong 51-43 in the 17s decider.
More, including reaction from both A-grade coaches, in Monday’s Bendigo Advertiser.