Harcourt’s senior finals ambitions have drawn to a close following a close contest against Natte Bealiba in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League’s semi final one at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve last Saturday.
The Swans wasted no time in the first term smashing on five quick goals to the Lions two to hold a 19-point lead at quarter-time.
To their credit the Lions did not bow their heads and came back strongly in the second term belting through another four goals of their own while holding Natte to just 1.2 for the term.
At half-time the Lions trailed by just two points.
The Swans received the rev up they needed at half-time and bounced back in the third slamming on another six unanswered goals and keeping the Lions scoreless.
At the final change Natte Bealiba had extended their lead to 42 points.
The tables turned once again in the final term as Harcourt felt their premiership chances slipping through their grasp. They stepped up and peppered the goals adding another six goals to their tally, while shutting down the Swans’ avenues to goal and restraining them to just two points for the term.
However, time ran out for the Lions and the Swans managed to hold on and win by a narrow eight points.
Best for the Lions on a challenging day were Mark Noonan, Cameron Anderson, Braydon Vaz, Joshua Hogg, Jordan Gartside and Thomas Walters.
In Sunday’s semi final two, Navarre defeated Talbot by five points to earn a spot in the preliminary final showdown against Trentham. In the preliminary final two Natte Bealiba will take on Carisbrook. All finals will once against take place at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve.
In the Reserves, Trentham defeated Dunolly by 16 points. Best for the Sainters were Robbie Byrne, Dylan Turner, Thomas Dickerson, Jack Elkington, James Gray and Jeremy Steen.
The Harcourt Reserves defeated Lexton by three points in a nailbiter. The Lions’ best were Sean Moss, Peter Polychronopoulos, Harley Wilson, Paul Chaplin, Jackson McMahon and Nathan Anderson.
Harcourt will now face Talbot in Saturday’s preliminary final one, while Trentham tackle Carisbrook in preliminary final two on Sunday.
In the 17.5s football, Maryborough Giants defeated the Harcourt Lions by nine points in a close contest. Best for the Lions were Fraser McAinch, Koby Simmons, Levi Bruce, Lachlan McKay, Hamish McLoughlan and Angus McLoughlan. Navarre recorded a 46-point win over Lexton. In this weekend’s preliminary finals Carisbrook takes on Navarre and Natte Bealiba faces Maryborough Giants.
In the 14.5s football, Harcourt lost to Navarre by 28 points despite a valiant effort. Best for the young Lions were Cooper Brasher, Oscar Suckling, Austin Phillips, Jojo Muscat, Blake McKay, Jack Dorian. Carisbrook posted a 113-point win over Avoca. In the preliminary finals Natte Bealiba plays Carisbrook and Trentham faces Navarre.
In the 11.5s football, Newstead had a 45-point win over Carisbrook. Best for the Steaders were Bailey Bright, Parker Williams, George Finning, Fynn Pilgrim, Percy Blake and Mick Campbell. Harcourt had a narrow two-point win over Dunolly in a low-scoring battle. This weekend Harcourt will play Talbot and Newstead faces Navarre for a spot in the big one!
NETBALL
Some close battles also took place in semi final action on the netball court. Results were as follows:
In A Grade Maryborough Giants 52 lost to Talbot 55 and Natte Bealiba 65 defeated Lexton 51.
B Grade Maryborough Giants 40 accounted for Newstead 38. Best on for Newstead was Ruby McNabb. Carisbrook 32 defeated Lexton 27.
C Grade Lexton 39 lost to Trentham 40. Best on for the Saints was Elly Dovaston. Avoca 37 defeated Navarre 23.
17&Under Maldon 19 lost to Avoca 30. Best on for Maldon were Jess Davies and Holly Williams. Natte Bealiba 39 narrowly defeated Navarre 39.
15&U Maldon 28 defeated Talbot 19. Best on for the Dons was Holly Williams. Maryborough Giants 31 defeated Carisbrook 14.
13&U Maldon 12 lost to Dunolly 13 in a nailbiter. Best on for the Dons was Mia Carroll. Natte Bealiba 28 defeated Avoca.
11&U Carisbrook 37 defeated Maryborough Giants 16 and Newstead 23 defeated Dunolly 21. Best on for Newstead was Paige Ramsey.
See our sister paper the Castlemaine Mail this Friday for the full finals schedule.
