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Heartbreakers Prevail 25-18 in Fast Paced Grand Final
After all the trash talking, chest thumping, name calling, and devious plotting, the time finally arrived where the teams had to put up or shut up. And the crowd of 25 were treated to a fantastic display of netball as both teams walked the talk, putting in basket after basket in the highest scoring game of the series. But in the end, it was a blistering 10-goal quarter from the Heartbreakers that put them over the top and had them crowned the Premiers of the Winter Netball League. Congratulations to the Heartbreakers! And good on ya to the Blue Roos for a fine effort.
The game started out a touch slow, and nearly matched the first quarter score from the prior several matches. The Heartbreakers welcomed back Mark Logsdon and chose to put him in the goal shooter position, a move that would end up the difference in the match. He scored four of the five baskets to put the lead at 5-3 Heartbreakers after one period.
In the second, the Blue Roos started making shifts to align a bit better, but the result was nearly the same with a 5-4 quarter in favor of the Heartbreakers. The pace was frenetic, with an "all Patel" center court Pritesh Patel and Bina Patel working the center court against her brother Rahul Patel and Jai Patel. Neil Desai knocked in several long range shots to keep it close. Half time score - 10 to 7.
But it was in the third quarter, the "premier" quarter as they say, that this game was made. The shooting tandem of Mark Logsdon and Jeff Persson poured in a series best 10 goals in the quarter with a dazzling display of passing inside the arc. Complimenting them on the defensive end were Dee Patel and Ankit Patel who kept the Blue Roos to a more normal count of 4. When the quarter ended, the Blue Roos found themselves on the wrong end of a 20-11 score.
Undaunted, they soldiered on, with Alan Denton pouring in nearly all of their seven goals. Meanwhile, Rachel Charlize and Anand Patel worked feverishly to keep the game in reach. But in the end, the differential was too much, and when the final siren sounded, the Heartbreakers were crowned champions, 25-18.
As the teams shook hands and gathered in the traditional circle to cheer for each other, this reporter reflected on how far this league has come in two short months. And then the thoughts move to "What is next"? Good question! The Summer Netball League is being planned now, so be sure to check the website and your inbox for the Roos eNews for the official posting. In the meantime, enjoy the last vestiges of winter, and get ready for the summer of Roo footy.
See you soon!
Score by Quarter
First Quarter: Heartbreakers 5, Blue Roos 3
Second Quarter: Heartbreakers 10, Blue Roos 7
Third Quarter: Heartbreakers 20, Blue Roos 11
Fourth Quarter: Heartbreakers 25, Blue Roos 18
Umpire: Moreen Logsdon
Injuries: None
Photographs: Holly Baker
