Live stream: Cripps’ band of ‘besties’ face Cavs in Tasmanian Netball League U19 decider

Cripps have been ultra consistent in the TNL U19s, making the past seven grand finals - but the wait for a second title in the span will have to go on another 12 months. Watch the REPLAY.

The Cavaliers held off a gallant Cripps Waratah to seal back-to-back titles and continue the visitors’ run of under-19 TNL grand final heartache with a 50-45 win at the Silverdome on Saturday.

Coming off a dominant 30-goal thrashing of minor premiers the Hawks in the qualifying final, the Cavaliers made their move in the third term to defend their premiership.

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It was close, but the Cavs are the champs.

PREVIEW

They may have lost the grand final to Cavaliers by five goals last season, but Cripps captain Abbey Geappen believes her band of “besties” can turn the tables on Saturday night.

The past two games between the fierce rivals have been thrillers - a one-goal win by Cavs and a draw - and that puts Geappen on edge about what might be in store in the 2024 Tasmanian Netball League U19 grand final at the Silverdome.

MAWER RATED ‘CREAM OF CROP’ AS HAWKS CHASE THREE-PEAT

Catch the big game and the later Opend decider between Cavs and Hawks LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on Kommunity TV and The Mercury website.

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“We’re excited and a bit nervous. I’m sure it will be another great game,” Geappen said.

“Both teams are very competitive so it’s going to come down to the team that deals with the occasion the best.”

The chemistry at Cripps has made them a force in the U19s.

Cripps U19 stars Matilda Franklin, Abbey Geappen and Maya Armstrong. Pic: Chris Kidd.

“It’s our strong bond as a group on and off the court,” Geappen said.

“We are all best friends, which is definitely important coming into a grand final. We all trust each other and that bond will hopefully get us over the line on Saturday.”

Lifting the cup would be a special moment for the Cripps “besties”.

“It would be awesome,” Geappen said.

“Cripps and Cavs have a history of grand final clashes and I don’t think we have actually beaten them in an under-19 grand final yet, so to achieve that would be awesome.”

It’s been a more challenging journey to the decider for the Cavaliers, who went unbeaten in winning the flag last year.

They beat Cripps 46-41 in last year’s grand final after scores were locked at halftime.

Cavaliers thrashed minor premiers, the Hawks, by 30 goals to advance to the grand final after they were beaten both times by their Launceston rivals in the regular season.

Skipper Asha Lowe, also part of last year’s grand final win, feels the team is clicking at the right time.

She also believes the strain on the team isn’t quite as intense as last year as they looked to make their unbeaten run count in the grand final.

Cavaliers under-19 captain Asha Lowe and coach Lynda Colgrave. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

“It’s definitely been different, but there probably hasn’t been as much pressure on us,” she said.

“It’s good to have those losses so it exposes what we need to work on and we can fix it.

“We just started playing or brand of netball (against Hawks in qualifying final). It was really good to play the way we wanted to and produce that result.”

Lowe hopes the fact the Cavs’ senior team is also playing a grand final will ensure best preparation for the big game.

“It’s nice to have both teams at training so you can help each other. We play against each other, which is great match play in the lead up,” she said.

“Cripps have got a very good defence. It’s something we have to be mindful of and play a short and sharp brand, not just throw balls away that are easily gettable for them.”

Originally published as Live stream: Cripps’ band of ‘besties’ face Cavs in Tasmanian Netball League U19 decider