Warrandyte Netball Club might have imagined they had “peaked” by bringing home four premierships from this year’s Doncaster and District winter finals. But the best was yet to come.
On December 6 they went one better, winning five flags in the spring finals series.
Eleven of 19 Warrandyte teams reached the semi-finals and six made it through to the grand finals.
The assault was led by the Open A team coached by Loraine Green. They finished on top of their section and came up against a very tough and determined DYC outfit in the big one.
Our girls stood tall and displayed admirable physical and mental strength to prevail 36-
22.
Jacinta Hennessy’s 15/1 Magpies finished their season second and fought hard to win their semi-final against third-placed East Doncaster.
The grand final was a thriller which had parents and other supporters on the edge of their seats.
Scores were deadlocked at half-time, but Warrandyte slowly wore their opposition
Down to win 28-23.
The Under-15/3 Kookaburras coached by Bruce Twite were going for back to back wins after their winter finals success.
Inspired by two Warrandyte Under-13 premierships which preceded their grand final, they established a handy early lead over East Doncaster and never looked back.
Twite kept the girls motivated when complacency might have been their only danger, and they finished lull of running to win 30-19.
Mandy Ratclifle’s 13/1Rosellas qualified third and the pressure was on them to defend
their winter crown. The result was a grand final heart-stopper.
Warrandyte ran to a six-goal lead early in the game, but Donvale were equally desperate for a premiership and clawed their way back.
The Rosellas dug that little deeper, though, and got home by a goal, 26-25.
The 13/2 Sparrows coached by Nat Dusting were also defending their winter champion-
ship and finished on top of their section.
They had a four or five-goal edge for most of their grand final, but DYC powered home and the scores were level with two minutes to go.
Warrandyte were determined not to let this one slip away and, cool under pressure, scored twice to win 19-17.
Lyn Dyason’s 13/4 Sparrows were Warrandyte’s only grand final “casualties”.
Some of the girls had made their netball debuts only this year, but put in a particularly gutsy effort throughout the season to finish top of their section.
They were understandably nervous going into the grand final and, despite showing enormous courage, succumbed 24-9 to Donvale.
The Under-11 sections do not play finals but turned in outstanding performances in the spring season.
Jan Bryar’s 11/1 Blackbirds conceded just one game and clearly led their section. So did the 11/2 Possums, coached by Lauren Reid and Amie Dusting, who drew one game and won the rest.
A great season all round for Warrandyte and congratulations to each and every girl.
Warrandyte Diary, December 2003
Warrandyte Diary archives
