NELSON Bay Navigators’ 21-years netball team is flying high and poised for premiership honours.
The skilful lineup demonstrated why they’re firm favourites to clinch the Newcastle Netball Association 21-years Division 2 competition after blitzing second-ranked Souths Holly 52-30 in last Saturday’s qualifying final at the National Park courts.
It was a dominant finals performance by the talented Navigators outfit – just seven days after slamming Souths 47-28 in the final round of the regular season.
After wrapping up the minor premiership, the Nelson Bay girls will now fly the flag for Port Stephens on Grand Final day in Newcastle after a near-perfect season.
The well-drilled Navigators won 13 of their 15 regular-season fixtures to claim the minor title, with one of their early clashes with the Holly abandoned.
Wests Leagues Warriors are the only club to defeat the Navigators this season – posting a narrow 13-12 victory on May 30.
Souths Holly will meet Norths Seahawks in this Saturday’s preliminary final after the latter downed Wests Leagues Wildcats 28-23 in a knockout clash.
The Navigators could be joined on Newcastle Grand Final Day by two other Nelson Bay clubs – the North Stars Under-15s and Nautics Under-17s.
All-conquering Souths Argon advanced to the 15-years Division One Grand Final after toppling the second-ranked North Stars 39-23 in last weekend’s qualifying final.
It was an impressive victory by the undefeated minor premiers, who will now oppose the winner of this Saturday’s preliminary final clash between the North Stars and Wests Leagues Panthers after they eliminated Souths Kyanite 47-29.
Souths Ironbark extended their winning streak in the 17-years Division Three series by sinking second-placed Nelson Bay Nautics 31-17 in the qualifying final.
The star-studded Ironbark combination finished undefeated minor premiers and will prove hard to beat for this year’s title.
Nelson Bay get another crack in this Saturday’s preliminary final against Waratah Cruisers, who soaked up the pressure to eliminate Souths Jarrah 34-33.
Nelson Bay Breezers were another Port Stephens club to perform with distinction in the strong Newcastle Netball Association – finishing a creditable fifth in the Seniors Division Seven competition.
By Chris KARAS
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