Netball: Eaton bound for first grand final

The Eaton Boomers have booked a grand final date with Bunbury on Friday after defeating minor premiers Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault 41-33 in the open division preliminary final of the PrintSync South West Netball Football League.

The Boomers had not beaten the Lions this season but their improvement over the second half of the season and a confidence-boosting win in the semi-finals led them to believe they could make it all the way to the grand final.

The preliminary final first quarter was close, with Lions goalies Myra Ugle and Casey Reynolds shooting accurately but at the other end, Susan Fuhrmann gathered any missed goals and converted to give Eaton a one-goal lead at the break.

In the second quarter, Eaton defenders Belinda Lowe, Jodie Testrow and Asha Bygraves lifted to the next level, with Lowe taking some great intercepts to rattle the Lions' attack.

Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault made changes to the attack line at half-time, with Danielle Baird going into goal shooter.

This worked for the Lions as the third quarter went goal-for-goal but with Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault double-defending Fuhrmann under the ring, Gemma Combes was left to slip into the goal circle unattended.

Eaton's accurate shooting resulted in a seven-goal lead going to the final quarter.

Eaton captain Esme Brown played a dynamic final quarter at wing attack, assisted by centre Tanieka Handley.

The pair fed the high balls into Fuhrmann with precision passes.

The Eaton defence line kept the pressure on and the Boomers all worked hard to the final whistle to achieve a grand final berth in their first year of entering a team in the open division.

In the A-reserve preliminary final, Donnybrook held a handy 20-11 lead at half-time, with Emma Dale and Courtney Babich winning their positions.

Busselton had a great third quarter after bringing on a new goal shooter and goal keeper, and really pressured the Donnybrook players by outscoring them to narrow the gap to four.

Donnybrook responded with Ebony Trigwell playing a gutsy game in centre and stalwart Rae Stewart finding the ring at goal shooter.

Donnybrook won 34-30 and will meet the Harvey Bulls in the grand final.

In the 17 and under game, Busselton had great first and third quarters but let Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault get back into the game in the second quarter.

Busselton always looked in control and won 51-46 to reach the grand final against Bunbury.

The grand finals will be played at South West Sports Centre on Friday, with the 17s at 5pm, the A-reserve at 6.30pm, and the open division at 8pm.