FROM?THE?TIME that the 2014 Pine Hill Dairy Primary School Netball Competition was launched weeks ago it seemed apparent that ten-times champions St Giles and last year’s losing finalists Blackman and Gollop were on a collision course for the final.
Well, yesterday, St Giles kept their part of the deal with a 19-8 demolition of Bay Primary in the first semi-final played at the Netball Stadium. However, Blackman and Gollop created panic on the court and in the stands among a large supporting crowd before edging home 12-11 against Luther Thorne Memorial.
Shockingly, Blackman and Gollop moved from 6-1 in the first quarter to 11-2 in the second and never scored another goal until an error by Luther Thorne in failing to convert at 11-11 with one minute on the clock in the fourth quarter.
Blackman and Gollop took the turnover to get down court to score and squeeze out the victory.
Playmaker Shonica Griffith, who was moved to goal attack in the fourth quarter, scored the winning goal after she replaced T’Shanni Payne who had scored two of seven attempts.
Goal shooter Danesha Davis had converted ten of her 18 shots before she went on a break.
Luther Thorne’s Selena Taylor scored eight of ten and Leeana Brathwaite made three of five, but they will rue missing that last shot after playing so well to reduce a nine-goal deficit and hover on the point of a possible upset.
Earlier, St Giles clinically moved to scores of 7-1, 13-4 and 15-6 with a smooth centre court and great shooting by Kellisa Kelly (11 of 20) and Donelle Reid (eight of nine).
The difference in the two teams was seen where Bay Primary received just ten shots at goal, with Rowland Kirton-Browne scoring her one shot to add to the seven of nine from Jenna Clarke.
Next Thursday, St Giles and Blackman and Gollop will return to contest the final at the Wildey Gymnasium where Blackman and Gollop had edged St Giles by one goal to take the pre-tournament netball rally. (KB)
