Bulldogs keep the dream alive

Bunbury ended Collie Eagles’ flag dream and moved into the West Country Netball League preliminary final with a 43-34 victory in the first semi-final on Sunday.

Bunbury was again missing centres Kylie Glancy and Rikki Ball due to injury but Chelsea Stevens and Andrea Chatfield stepped up to provide the Bulldogs with drive as they took over in the second quarter.

Both teams took the first quarter to settle and work out their opposition, with Nicole Jones and Ellena Clazie working hard in defence to give Collie a one-goal lead.

But Jodie Coutts and Claire and Selena Golding started making some timely interceptions for Bunbury to set up goal attack Cara Cox as the Bulldogs edged to a 21-17 lead at half-time.

Eagles coach Colleen DeAngelis was on target with her goal shooting but Collie had to work overtime to get the ball forward with the constant pressure from Bunbury’s defence and the lead blew out to eight with a uarter to play, and the Bulldogs withstood a late Eagles’ charge.

In the second semi-final, minor p remie r Ha r ve y -B r u n swic k - Leschenault came from behind to thrash Augusta-Margaret River 51-35 for a grand final berth.

With only percentage separating them on the ladder, the Lions and Hawks were expected to turn on a tight contest, but with AMR missing key centre Catherine Edwards, the Lions took control.

AMR flew out of the blocks, racing to a 10-goal lead in the first quarter to leave HBL shell-shocked HBL as its mid-court players fired the ball forward to Emily Bongers and Sophie Kaleta, while goal defence Janet Smith controlled the other end.

HBL coach Myfanwy Evans bought Marlene Byass onto goalshooter and reinforced her faith in the defence of Stacey Anaru, Kate Edgeloe and Eliza Vlasich to immediate effect as the Lions charged back to lead at the main break.

The Lions edged ahead in the third quarter and with Hayley Byass shooting goals from everywhere and the experience of Ramai Gurnick and Angela Repacholi taking its toll, AMR had no answer.

In A Reserve, HBL eliminated Bunbury 44-43 in a thriller, while Harvey Bulls moved into their first grand final with a 51-40 upset of minor premier South Bunbury.

In 17 and Under, South Bunbury ousted Carey Park 42-37 win and HBL reached the grand final with a 43-41 win over Bunbury.

The preliminary finals will be played at the South West Sports Centre tonight.