Netball SA Premier League semi-finals live stream: Contax v Matrics, Tango v South Adelaide

It was a perfect night for Contax after it proved unstoppable to earn straight passage to both Premier League netball grand finals. See who else progressed in the finals and re-watch every minute of the semi-finals.

The fleet-footed basketball skills of Contax goal shooter Sam Simons were enough to deliver the minor premiers directly through to the Netball SA Premier League grand final on Friday night.

Simons, also a talented basketballer who provided plenty of highlights with her unique lay-up style shooting, finished the game with 27 goals as Contax ran out 55-51 victors over rivals Matrics.

WATCH THE MAJOR SEMI-FINAL REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE AND SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE REPLAYS

It was the perfect showcase of the skill and determination of South Australian netball’s finest, with the lead changing hands at a rapid rate between the two sides.

While Simons, along with shooting partner Kayla Graham (17 goals), were impressive with their radar in the second half, the Contax win truly came off the back of the work of Molly Watson in defence.

Watson was like a terrier in the back court across the opening quarter, not allowing Matrics sharpshooter Lucy Austin much time on the ball.

Contax took a two goal lead into quarter-time before Matrics came alive in the second quarter to outscore their rivals 13-10 and take a one goal lead into the main break.

Austin was impressive on goal scoring 35 across the four quarters, including a 12-goal second term, but it wasn’t enough as Contax shot clear in the final minute to win by a game-high margin of four goals.

Matrics will now need to regroup ahead of a do-or-die preliminary final showdown next week against a resurgent South Adelaide side.

South Adelaide kept its season alive, and ended the finals hopes of Tango, in a thrilling come from behind 59-55 victory.

Down by two goals at the first break, the Panthers managed to even the scores at halftime before pulling clear in the third quarter with an impressive 17-13 run.

The two sides finished with 14 goals each in the final term as South held on bravely to earn a chance to play its way into the grand final.

Contax's reserves side has also earned a week off in the finals after upsetting Matrics 54-47 in the major semi-final.

WATCH THE RESERVES SEMI-FINAL REPLAYS BELOW

It was the first loss for the Matrics reserves side all season, who will now head to next week’s preliminary final to face off against Oakdale.

Oakdale was unstoppable in the elimination final against South Adelaide, running out comfortable 19-point victors.

PREVIEW: Netball sides set sights on upsetting the top dogs

A pair of Netball SA Premier League clubs are aiming to disrupt the domination of the competition’s two powerhouses – but first they will look to take down one another.

Tango will face South Adelaide in a do-or-die clash on Friday night – one of four senior and reserves semi-finals which will be live streamed exclusively by KommunityTV.

The winner will progress to meet loser of the other semi-final between dominant clubs Contax and Matrics, who have faced off in seven of the past nine grand finals.

Tango centre Lauren Gibbons said her side was as confident as ever this could be their year to shake up the competition.

“I think we’re peaking at the right time … I’m sure there will be a few nerves on the day but we’re in a really good spot,” Gibbons said.

“You look down the road and you know you have to beat those top two sides if you want to progress, but for us we need to focus on one win at a time and get the job done against South.

“Everyone is pretty keen to mix it up and break up that Contax-Matrics grand final.”

South snatched fourth spot by percentage to progress to the finals following a thrilling last round where everything fell its way.

The winner of Tango and South will make it through to the preliminary final. Picture: Mark Brake

Panthers attacker Maggie Kerr – one of the key reasons behind her side’s rise up the ladder – said she expected the semi-final to come down to the wire after two close results against Tango in the regular season.

“It’s the first time in a long time we’ve made finals in Premier League and last Friday night was super exciting, but we had a chat at training about what’s next and now we’re really pumped and ready to go,” Kerr said.

“It’s anyone’s game in finals and we’re there to win.”

The competition’s biggest modern rivals, Contax and Matrics will once again stand in the way of anyone hoping to make it to the grand final.

It’s been a win each in their two meetings so far this year with the victor of Friday night’s semi-final set to progress straight through to the title decider.

Contax star Chelsea Blackman said her side would need to be at its defensive best to shut down their archrival’s strong attack.

Contax and Matrics have faced off in seven of the past nine Premier League grand finals and will do battle once again in a semi-final on Friday night. Picture: Mark Brake

“We’ve had a lot analysis on our own game on and on theirs but we feel prepared,” said Blackman, whose side has won 13 straight matches since losing to Matrics in the opening round.

“The team’s had a really good lead up to finals with some tough games and now it’s just time to leave it all on the court.”

Matrics has won its past six matches by an average margin of 36 goals and captain Sophie Croft said there was no clear favourite coming into the semi-final.

“We used the halfway point of the season as a circuit breaker and have been in really good form since then,” Croft said.

“It’s going to be really interesting to see how we match up with both teams near full strength.”

Matrics and Contax will also face off in a reserves semi-final with Oakdale and South Adelaide doing battle in the other.

All Premier League and reserves matches will be exclusively live streamed here by KommunityTV with coverage beginning at 7pm on Friday night.