Netballers demolish opposition

ABSN Lhani Vano (GA) looks on as ABMED Louise Howes (GS) shoots another goal. Air Force players SGT Kim Henderson and SGT Gaven Hogan defend the goal.

Photo: ABPH Karen Bailey

Maintaining its dominant form, Navy has retained the title of WA interservice netball champions after demolishing the competition at HMAS Stirling last month.

Navy had won this event every year since 1994, and although it hasn’t been run since 2000, RAAF and Army were eager to break Navy’s run.

The first game between Navy and RAAF saw Navy take control early on, with sharp shooting from AB Lhani Vano as Goal Shooter, and great court coverage from AB Kylie Simmons at Wing Attack. At the final siren, the Navy were clear winners 37-13.

The next game saw an exhausted RAAF back up to take on Army.

Somehow RAAF dug deep and kept going, keeping the game very tight, goal for goal in fact.

Army crept ahead in the final quarter however to take the game by just two goals, 30-28.

The final game of the day saw the play-off for the title and trophy between Navy and Army.

At the end of the first quarter, the game could have been anyones, with scores locked at 9-all. Midway through the second half, Navy, led by LS Shane Saunders and AB Amanda Weir turned the game around to take a six-point lead.

Navy wrapped up the game in the final quarter with 13 unanswered goals, which in a low scoring game was far too great a deficit to come back from. The final score read 42 - 23.

Navy were by far the dominant side on the day with Army finishing in second position followed by RAAF.

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