Woodend-Hesket make it back-to-back RDFNL A-Grade netball premierships
Woodend-Hesket cemented itself as the dominant force in Riddell District netball, defeating Riddell, to win back-to-back A-Grade crowns.
Riddell
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Woodend-Hesket remains the dominant power in Riddell District netball.
The Hawks secured back-to-back RDFNL A-Grade premierships on Sunday with a five-goal win over Riddell.
The league’s queens of the court lost just three games during the season and breezed through to the grand final with a thumping semi-final win over Wallan.
Riddell, having come from third, were gallant in defeat, pushing Woodend to the edge in a nail-biting finale.
However, a superb best-on-court performance from Sam Coppinger in mid-court guided the Hawks to a 46-41 victory at Romsey Park.
Woodend-Hesket captain-coach Tayissa Coppinger said the whole club had helped build success.
“It’s awesome for the club, we set out this season to go back-to-back,” he said.
“We’ve been able to achieve that and have all five teams make finals, which is a great success.
“We’ve got a really connected group, which we’re fortunate for, we’ve built that and it gets stronger and stronger.
“Success breeds success and we’ve got a fantastic group of girls from under-19s and B-Grade underneath us that keep pushing us week-in, week-out to be better.
“It’s a really good place to be around and hopefully we can keep going next year.”
Woodend-Hesket jumped out to an early five-goal lead on the back of a 12-goal opening quarter.
The Hawks added another 14 in the second term to open up an eight-goal margin at half-time.
However, it would not be plain sailing for the minor premier.
Riddell charged back in the third term, narrowing the deficit to just four goal at the final change.
However, Woodend held firm, winning the fourth quarter and the match.
“We knew we were going to be challenged, there was no doubt of that,” Coppinger said.
“We just had to keep our head and stay composed in those moments, knowing we had the players and skill to do it.”
Sam Coppinger was the star, returning to the court this season after having a child last year, while wing defence Hayley Rogers and goal shooter Charlee Duff Tytler also impressed.
“It’s amazing, she’s come back from having a baby,” Tayissa said of her sister’s performance.
“To come out and perform like that, she was composed and has the experience to help those around her, so I couldn’t be prouder of her today.
“It’s a big ask to go out there and run a full game in centre but she did it really well.”
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For Riddell, gun goal keeper Fionnuala McKeagney-Stubbs, centre Madison Brown and goal attack Meredith Ball were the best.
In the day’s other results, Riddell took home the B-Grade premiership with a 62-39 win over Romsey, Christine Harris named best-on-court.
Abbey Lambert was the grand final medallist in Macedon’s thrilling 25-24 C-Grade victory over Riddell and Gisborne Giants took home the G-Grade title 38-21 over Romsey with Zoe Kucic winning the best-on-court.
Earlier, Riddell also claimed the Under-19 flag with a 43-41 win over Romsey, Sienna Phelan-Smith named best-on-court, making it a hat-trick of trophies on the day for the club.
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