Benalla All Blacks fall short in nailbiting semi-final clash

By Adam Miller

Aug 27, 2024

Tahlia Humphrey in action against the Greta Blues on Saturday, August 24. Photos: Garry Jones Photo by Contributed

After an almighty tussle on the North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve netball courts, the Benalla All Blacks have fallen heartbreaking short of a semi-final berth.

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Up against a Greta outfit which had comfortably defeated them 28-10 earlier in the season, the Panthers went in as heavy underdogs in the elimination final.

The Benalla All Blacks Football Netball Club under-15s felt just short against Greta this weekend. Photo by Contributed

Finals, though, are a different beast altogether, and it was clear from the first whistle that the Panthers had brought an aggression to their game that had not been seen previously.

Sharni Hughes in action for Benalla on Saturday. Photo by Contributed

With both teams displaying remarkable defensive efforts, it was clear from the start that this was going to be a low scoring game.

Defying the odds, Benalla took the game to the last quarter, giving themselves the best chance to pull the mightiest of upsets.

Harper Robertson in action against the Greta Blues on Saturday, August 24.

It was not to be as Greta held their nerves to take a nail biting victory.

The Blues now progress to the semi final were they will play against Moyhu at Tarrawingee Recreation Reserve on Sunday.

To even get to the finals was an impressive effort by the All Blacks given they had started the year with only one win out of their first six games.

Panthers’ coach Jemma Smith could not have been more proud of her squad despite the disappointing loss.

“It was really nice to see them put into play everything we had been working on across the season, I am so proud of them for giving it a crack“ Jones said.