WERRIBEE Centrals have inflicted the first defeat over runaway minor premier Winchelsea Blues and it could not have come at a better time on the eve of the Geelong and District Netball League A grade finals.
The Centurions were desperate to make a statement before the finals and sent one loud and clear with a stirring 43-38 victory in the last home-and-away round at Galvin Park on Saturday.
Nothing short of their best across all positions was going to lift the Centurions to victory, but a key factor was the defensive pressure of the back three – Amanda Wilson, Noni McClure and Maria Masei.
They were instrumental in restricting a Blues attack that has average 59 goals per game to just 38.
The Centurions found enough goals through Mickayla Ward and Jenni Gardner to roll the previously undefeated side.
Both goalers finished in the GDNL’s top 10 goal shooting list over the regular season.
Ward added 28 goals to finish the regular season in seventh with 326 goals and Gardner was 10th after slotting 15 to take her tally to 288.
The Centurions will have four of its teams in qualifying finals at the St Albans Netball Centre this weekend.
-Lance JenkinsonK
