Garville and Contax win state league netball semi-finals

GARVILLE made its first state league netball final in 17 years a happy one with a come from behind semi-final win over Newton Jaguars last night.

GARVILLE made its first state league netball final in 17 years a happy one and kept alive its hopes of a fairytale premiership with a come from behind semi-final win over Newton Jaguars at Netball SA Stadium last night.

A consistent struggler for more than a decade, the once powerful Garville appeared overawed early in the knockout final and trailed by eight goals at quarter time and 10 early in the second quarter.

But the nerves settled, Garville's line-up was reshuffled slightly and the side stormed home to win 60-55.

It sets up a preliminary final match-up with minor premier Matrics which suffered a surprise loss to Contax in the double-chance semi.

Reigning premier Contax has advanced straight through to the grand final.

Garville coach Jackie Blyth said she was thrilled with the way her players settled after a nervous start.

"In the first quarter we really were like dears in the headlights and I was thinking `where's all this come from','' Blyth said.

"Whether it was finals nerves I suppose that's the easy thing to blame, but it was just a matter of believing in ourselves and getting back to playing the way we want to play.

"The girls really were terrific.''

With a finals hardened Jaguars dominating proceedings, Blythe moved Sam Poolman out to goal defence and brought Tamika Arias in to the game at goalkeeper.

The move coincided with a momentum shift and Garville clawed the margin back to five goals by half-time.

Garville continued its charge in the third quarter and by three quarter time had taken the lead by a goal.

With Jo Sutton dominant through the midcourt and ex-Woods Panther Chloe Drogemuller also playing well, Garville consolidated its lead in the final term to move through to a showdown with Matrics.

Matrics must now regroup after it was jumped in the first quarter of its loss to Contax.

Contax led by 12 at quarter time and won by six goals.

Matrics coach Scott Waddington said his side did not handle the tag of premiership favouritism well.

"We looked flat,'' Waddington said.

"We took a while to get into the game. Contax were sharp right from the beginning.

"All year we've been the so called favourite, now we are not.

"We've got to chase somebody else … I don't think we've coped very well with being considered the best team.''