Libby Renkin searches for a teammate in the u15s clash against Bonnie Doon. Photos: Garry Jones.
B Reserve
Finals netball never fails to bring the heat, and the B Reserve All Blacks knew they were in for a battle when they faced Whorouly on their home court in Sunday’s semi-final.
Taitum Hemming leaps skyward during the B Reserve win over Whorouly.
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With the two sides splitting wins during the season, the crowd turned up in big numbers, bringing with them the buzz and intensity only finals can deliver. The opening quarter set the tone for a hard-fought contest, the Panthers holding a narrow two-goal lead at the first break.
In the shooting ring, Bri McNair and Brooke Bradshaw displayed nerves of steel, showing great composure and accuracy under a tight and physical Lions defence. The mid-court worked tirelessly to keep the Panthers’ attack flowing. Rebecca Mathieson and Eleanor Renkin rotated seamlessly through wing attack, bringing fresh legs and clever feeds to keep Whorouly’s defenders on the back foot.
Catherine Dennis was among the best for the B Reserve side at the weekend.
Catherine Dennis shone in centre, her patience, vision and pinpoint passing driving the Panthers forward at critical moments. In defence, the backline was nothing short of outstanding. Chloe Dods played her trademark tight wing defence game, refusing to give her opponent any easy ball.
Bri McNair reels in a pass during the B Reserve win over Whorouly.
Behind her, the trio of Taitum Hemming, Kristy Hanrahan and Ellex Best piled on relentless pressure, forcing turnovers and making every Lions goal hard-earned. With the crowd urging their side on, Whorouly launched a final-quarter surge, outscoring the Panthers by five and threatening to steal the momentum.
But the Panthers dug deep, showing grit and determination to hold on when it mattered most. Their earlier dominance proved enough, and when the final whistle blew, the All Blacks celebrated a thrilling seven-goal win.
Brooke Bradshaw fights her Whorouly opponent for possession.
The Panthers keep their finals campaign alive, fuelled by belief and momentum from a hard-earned victory in a match that had the crowd on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Sharni Hughes receives a pass in the u15s clash against Bonnie Doon.
On Saturday, the Benalla All Blacks U15s netball team travelled to North Wangaratta to face top-of-the-table Bonnie Doon in tough, windy conditions. The challenge was set before the first whistle: start strong, play with confidence, and leave nothing out on court. The girls embraced that message from the very beginning.
The first quarter was a hard-fought battle. Both teams came out firing, applying strong defensive pressure and forcing turnovers at every opportunity. Every ball was contested, every pass had to be earned. At the first break, the scoreboard showed just how close the contest was, with Benalla trailing narrowly, 11-13.
U15s player Harper Robertson holds onto a pass with one hand.
In the second term, the team continued to push hard, working together to bring the ball down the court with patience and persistence. The determination was evident in every play, and the crowd could see just how much the girls wanted it.
Sharni Hughes was a solid option in the mid-court, with strong, confident leads and relentless defensive pressure that kept Bonnie Doon under constant pressure
Libby Renkin worked hard in the defensive circle all game, sticking tight to her opponent and turning over possession time and time again with clever intercepts and smart positioning.
Choni Jackson finds a teammate against Bonnie Doon.
Harper Robertson was solid in the attacking circle, moving brilliantly around the ring, fighting hard for rebounds, and applying pressure even when the ball left her area.
Despite Benalla’s grit and persistence, Bonnie Doon’s strength showed in the second half and gradually built their lead. The final whistle saw Bonnie Doon take the win, 48-38.
While the result wasn’t what the young panthers were hoping for, they should be extremely proud of their effort, resilience, and the way they stood up against the top side.
Lola Crook hangs on with strong hands.
The match highlighted just how far the group has come this season — playing with belief, teamwork, and fight until the very end.
The girls look to regroup at training this week, ready to reset and refocus before taking on Bright in what promises to be another exciting finals challenge.
A huge thank you also goes out to all the parents, families, and supporters who braved the conditions to cheer the team on, your encouragement makes all the difference.
