NSW takes all netball titles

By Lieutenant Rachel Irving

A Victorian player attempts to spoil the ball from her NSW opponent during the mixed competition.

Photo by CPL Mick Kiker.

NSW swept all before it at last month’s ADF National Netball titles in Sydney, taking home the winner’s trophy in the women’s, men’s and mixed competitions.

NSW dominated the three divisions throughout the week of competition and stormed into the women’s final undefeated.

In the men’s final, NSW took on Far North Queensland (FNQ) and controlled the match from the outset, taking the game by 12 points, 39-27.

The NSW team, coached by Captain Lynne Oldfield, was an extremely disciplined side that played a tight game and displayed excellent circle work. FNQ played a more rushed style of game and paid for mistakes.

NSW won each of the 15-minute quarters and maintained pressure throughout.

Though the scoreboard showed a difference of 12 points at the full-time whistle, the game was much closer than that reflected, with some outstanding performances from both sides. The NSW team, however, got off to a very good start and spent the game maintaining and increasing its lead.

FNQ’s Goal Defence, Corporal Leon Roberts, and Goal Keeper, Craftsman Trent Kingston, were excellent in defence, while Lieutenant Steve Wall for NSW was on song with his shooting and NSW Centre, Leading Aircraftman Jesse Surmiak, read the play well and controlled the game through the centre third.

The mixed game between NSW and South East Queensland (SEQ) was one of the best encounters witnessed in the history of the competition.

In the rounds, SEQ had beaten NSW by just four points, so both teams laid it all on the line, the game eventually going into overtime and NSW winning by just two points, 35-33.

From the first whistle, the game was a battle, with the shooters literally going point for point and defence working hard to shut down the attack. Lieutenant Wall played again for NSW and delivered some excellent shots into the ring, while the team’s defenders, Flight Lieutenant Peter Janssen and Captain Michelle Wynn, provided support at the other end.

In the third quarter, NSW, up by just one goal, 16-15, let themselves down by allowing several turnovers to occur, SEQ punishing them by scoring on each to lead 17-16.

SEQ’s Goal Defence, Corporal Murray Severin, showed excellent hand-eye co-ordination and tipped away the ball several times to deny NSW goals. SEQ finished the third quarter four points up, with excellent shooting from Signaller Paul Farrell and Flight Lieutenant Tanya Leiffell.

SEQ sensed victory and pulled away by seven points early in the last quarter, the game seemingly over for NSW and frustrations building.

But Wall began to make a real impact in the circle for NSW and with four unanswered goals, the difference was quickly just three points. Another two for the home side and the score was suddenly only a point difference.

With turnovers and injuries, the pressure was on and the atmosphere tense, the crowd lifting the players. With a tie at full time, the game went into overtime, NSW eventually pulling away to take the title in a thriller, 35-33.

The women’s game was comparably a one-sided contest between the home side, NSW, and Victoria, – NSW punishing the visitors, 34-19.

NSW had a good start to the game and took the first quarter by five points with excellent teamwork.

Victoria’s tight defence closed the game and saw the visitors get within three, with nice shooting from Victoria’s Lieutenant Chris Pope, who didn’t let the height of her opponent, NSW Goal Defence Leading Aircraftwoman Katie Redding, deter her.

In the end, in what turned out to be a rather flat game after the excitement of the mixed event, NSW pulled away to take a relatively easy victory, 34-19.

.