Williams cap brilliant turnaround with premiership in first season back in NDNA A1 competition

The Narrogin and Districts Netball Association wrapped up the 2023 season over Friday and Saturday with grand finals games played across five divisions. In the A1 showdown between Wagin and Williams, the top two teams battled it out in a fast-paced and intense game. Both teams created a dynamic environment for the crowd that had gathered to watch the best players in the association fly around the court. They didn’t disappoint with a physical and evenly matched game with the lead constantly swinging. With only two goals separating the two teams at half-time, the outcome remained impossible to predict. In the third quarter Williams changed their attack which resulted in the team performing strongly and outscoring Wagin 1 by seven goals. In a final push, most valuable player Abbey McKay took several intercepts in a strong defensive unit for Williams 1 as they ran out victors, 53-44. Williams 1 made the move from A2 to A1 this season and captain Emma Liddelow praised the brilliant turnaround to become premiers. “We expected Wagin to come out hard, we knew it was going to be a hard game but we were hopeful we were going to have a win,” Liddelow said. “We recruited after we got pushed up to A1 and then came in hard, they’re obviously some really good players because we made finals. ‘It’s been a very unexpected season for us.” The A2 grand final was a semifinal rematch between Pingelly 2 and Wagin 2. In another exciting match for the spectators and supporters, the teams went goal for goal throughout. Hearts racing and pressure mounting, the teams made the crowd roar with every goal. With 10 seconds remaining in the game Wagin 2 took the winning shot and finished winners, 46-45. Kate Poultney from Pingelly 2 was awarded the MVP for a stellar performance. Olympics Navy took on Waves 1 in a semifinal rematch for the A3 premiership. In another thriller, both teams made minimal errors and the game was close for the entire match. In the final few minutes, Olympics Navy capitalised on several turnovers with MVP Rebecca Miller strong throughout the attack, defeating Waves 1, 50-47. On Saturday Cuballing 2 battled Flames Force in the A4 grand final. Flames Force came out firing and took Cuballing 2 by surprise. Cuballing 2 continued to work hard and closed the margin going goal for goal in the final quarter. Flames Force managed to hang on and come out winners in a thriller, 42-41. Flames Forces’ Kayla George received the MVP award. Friday evening was the junior division two grand final. Wagin 4 were too strong for Olympics Cobalt winning 35-14 with Shona Banks claiming MVP with a stellar performance in defence for Wagin 4. The junior division one game was a much tighter contest where Olympics Teal took on Cuballing 3. The game was fast-paced with the teams going goal for goal. However, Cuballing 3 managed to stay calm under pressure and capitalised on several turnovers, running out winners 36-29.