The umpiring was of a great standard, and the standard of netball in this association has just been raised yet again. Congratulations to South Clare.

Best on Court was awarded to Amanda O’Shaughnessy of South Clare.

A2. North Clare 41 d Blyth Snowtown 40.

It was always going to be a tight game, but the North Clare defences stepped up right from the first pass to put the pressure on the Blyth Snowtown goalies.

Blyth Snowtown defences were also very good, and they gave their team a 10-8 lead at the first break.

Mel Cook, Monica Wandel and Caroline Ward applied great defensive pressure through the centre court and followed through with fantastic passing.

Bridget Ellery settled and started to shoot and rebound well at the end of the second quarter, and was partnered well by Lisa Roberts who played a consistent four quarters.

North was 5 up at half time, and 4 up at three-quarter time, but Blyth Snowtown fought back in the last quarter.

Tristen Turner and Jennie-Lee Kennett turned the ball often in the last quarter to put the pressure on North, but they couldn’t capitalize.

North’s captain, Carmen Jacka, took the final intercept to give North Clare the game by one goal.

Best on court was awarded to Mon Wandel of North Clare.

B1. Min-Man 35 d RSMU 32.

This game had a tight first quarter, with Sarah McInerney playing well for RSMU, and Courtney McDermid showing strength through the mid court for Min-Man.

Accurate shooting from both teams, and scores were 11-10 in favour of RSMU at quarter time.

RSMU pegged ahead in the second quarter, with a great even contest, but Mandy Clark and Hannah Clark helped turn the game in defence and gave RSMU the advantage by 3 at half time.

Shannon Noll assisted this with great shooting for RSMU.

The third quarter saw goal for goal netball with no room for error.

The ball was strongly and fairly contested with very accurate shooting from both teams.

Min-Man fought back hard to be down by 2 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Min-Man then went into top gear in the last quarter, with Julianne Weedon turning over some critical balls for Min-Man at GK.

Min-Man was able to turnover centre passes and take the game by 3. It was a solid game by all players. Best on court was awarded to Mary-Anne Schwartz of Min-Man.

B2. North Clare 41 d RSMU 32.

RSMU got off to a great start, with great passing into Simone Miller and Caitlin.

North fought hard in the first quarter applying excellent pressure, but Ellen Callery and Nikki Hannaford as GD and GK for RSMU, helped their team to a 5-2 lead at quarter time.

North came out firing after the quarter break, the nerves were gone and it was game on.

Sally Rolstone and Leonie Player worked hard in the midcourt to force errors, and the North shooters, Jess and Sophie, were able to convert.

North turned it around and took a three-goal lead at half time.

The second half was a close contest. Jess Dohnt worked hard all day, feeding brilliantly to the goalies.

RSMU was back in front by one at three-quarter time.

Jess Tilbrook played a great game at GA for North and helped peg back a draw – to be 29-all at full time. Time on meant 7 minutes each end.

It was the pressure applied by Peta Smith and Robyn Coulter in defence, to be topped off by accurate shooting by young players Sophie McKendrick and Jess Tilbrook up the other end for North, that gave them a massive turnaround and a nine-goal win at the end of time on. Well done North Clare.

Best on court went to Jess Dohnt of North Clare.

– More NENA reports, Page 42