Nelson Bay Nautics sink Waratah Cruisers in gripping 17yrs Newcastle Division Three title decider

NELSON Bay Nautics’ 17- years netball team is on a mission this Saturday at the Newcastle Netball Association grand finals.

Suzanne Shelley’s ‘underdog’ Nautics are primed for a big showing when they square off with the undefeated Souths Ironbark lineup in the Division Three trophy decider at the National Park courts.

The talented Nelson Bay combination have nothing to lose and are ready to give this year’s title a red-hot crack.

Souths won all 13 matches during the regular season and stamped themselves premiership favourites with a 31-17 victory over the Nautics in the recent qualifying final.

But they will meet a ‘hungry’ Nelson Bay side that is keen for revenge and bolstered by a thrilling 33-31 triumph over Waratah Cruisers in last Saturday’s preliminary final encounter.

Played in oppressive heat, the Nautics finished strongly to edge out the Cruisers with late goals by talented shooters Poppy McGrath and Lucy Solomon-James.

Waratah led 7-6 at quarter time before the Nautics stepped up to grab a 17-15 halftime advantage.

Both sides were locked 24-all at the end of the third term and  traded goal-for-goal as the Nelson Bay girls stood tall in an exhilarating final quarter.

In a savage blow the Nautics will be without the services of ace representative shooter Solomon-James for the title decider.

But they will still field a strong lineup that are capable of mixing it with the well-drilled and skilful Ironbark combination.

Nelson Bay’s talented grand final squad also features midcourt dynamos in Layla Lewis, Hartley Cobb-Hamilton, Sienna Hunt, Piper Mullins and Lacey Burgess; sharp shooter Abigail Noble; and defensive warriors Charlotte Mann and Zaliah Spencer.

Under the expert guidance of coach Shelley and manager Mel Noble, the Nautics finished the regular season in second spot with 11 victories and two losses and will relish their underdog tag against the title favourites.

By Chris KARAS