COMPLETING 17 competitive matches at the three-day NSW State Senior Netball championships is no easy task.
Nelson Bay’s talented 17-years girls representative team achieved the feat at the Baulkham Hills Netball complex in Sydney back in June and returned home with a top four ranking.
In a huge honour for the local association, the squad excelled in the Division Four category against some of the finest teenage netball players in the state.
Coached by mainstays Amanda Wilks and daughter Taylar Wilks, the Nelson Bay team chalked up 13 wins and a draw from their 17 matches to finish in fourth spot on 27 points.
A highlight was the 15-all draw with newly crowned undefeated champions Blayney on the final day.
In doing so, the Nelson Bay lineup became the only side to take a point off the country titans in one of the best matches of the tournament.
The team’s only losses over the three-day event were against third-ranked Temora (17-16), sixth-ranked Lower Clarence (15-14) and runners-up Port Stephens (18-11).
Showing true grit and consistency, the Nelson Bay outfit registered wins over Wollondilly (16-13), Cowra (26-12), Glen Innes (18-12), South Canberra (18-14), Gunnedah (19-9), Young & District (32-1), Tumut (21-11), Scone (16-10), Parkes District (17-10), Goulburn & District (24-6), Armidale District (15-10), Dungog (22-16) and Gloucester (22-15).
Players to shine included Emma Tibbs, Anneliese Jones, Melody Tibbs, Gabby McCallum, Piper Mullins, Georgia Burgess, Lucy Solomon-James, Amber Redman, Hartley Cobb-Hamilton, Kate Slade and Charli Ball.
By Chris KARAS
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