NSW 19/U Team crowned National Champions

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The NSW 19/U Team has been crowned National Champions for the ninth time, defeating arch-rivals Victoria 36-21 at the Logan Metro Indoor Sports Centre in the Grand Final of the National Netball Championship.

Adding to the victory, NSW defender Gabi Simpson was named the Tournament MVP after standout performances across the entire week.

View all the results from the 19/U National Netball Championship

Tenacious in defence and patient in attack, the NSW team took control of the match early and set-up the 15-goal victory.

NSW Coach Lenore Blades was consistent in her message all week to the team about the need to build across the game, and today they did just that, breaking through the Victorian defensive wall to lead the match 7-5 at quarter-time.

The second quarter was where the match was won, with Amy Sommerville and Alix McDermott combining beautifully in the shooting circle to net 12 goals for the quarter, whilst at the other end of the court Hannah Lee and Gabi Simpson were suffocating in defence, starving Victoria of opportunities.

Renowned for their determination, the Victorians mounted a comeback in the third quarter, trying desperately to eat into the NSW lead, but going goal-for-goal wasn’t enough for the Victorians as NSW went into the final quarter with a 12-goal lead, 28-16.

With a wave of excitement filling the venue, the NSW supporters who had been in full voice all day, found that little bit extra to cheer the girls home as they dominated the last quarter to finish the championship undefeated with a 36-21 victory.

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