By Colin MacGillivray

 Minyip-Murtoa has been plagued by inconsistency and slow starts during the 2019 Wimmera Netball Association finals.

So when the Burras fell behind by nine goals at quarter time in the grand final against minor premier Horsham, onlookers would have been forgiven for thinking a repeat of their 30-goal defeat in a semi-final only two weeks earlier was in the offing.

Instead it was the Burras hoisting the premiership cup for the first time in their history after a stunning comeback in front of a big Horsham City Oval crowd.

Minyip-Murtoa made ground on the Demons in the second quarter, riding a huge effort from its midcourt players to turn the ball over repeatedly.

In the goal ring Georgia McLennan shot accurately in a tricky wind, while Kirby Knight made good position under the ring and was rewarded by her with accurate feeds from Sheridan Petering and her sister Ash Knight.

Scores were knotted at 29 heading into the final term but the Burras streaked ahead in the dying minutes, establishing a lead that grew as large as six goals before a few late Horsham goals trimmed the final margin to 39-36 in Minyip-Murtoa’s favour.

The Demons made the most of their scoring chances when they were able to work the ball to goal shooter Emma Buwalda, but a sturdy defence anchored by Taylor Mentha and Alex Lang did enough to limit her chances.

A premiership was excellent reward for coach Billie Bibby, who played most of the season before injuring her knee late in the year.

The youngest coach in the league was ecstatic with the mental resilience of her players.

“I can’t put it into words,” she said after the win.

“This is an unbelievable feeling.”

 

 

MATCH RESULTS EXTRACT: Wimmera Netball Association

 

A Grade:

 

Round GF : Horsham v Minyip Murtoa 21/09/2019

Horsham                                  14,  21,  29,  36 (36)

Minyip Murtoa                            5,  19,  29,  39 (39)

 

GOALS

Horsham:

E Buwalda 32 G Carberry 4 Minyip Murtoa:

K Knight 24 G Mclennan 15

 

BEST

Horsham:

Minyip Murtoa:

G Mclennan

 

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B Grade:

 

Round GF : Horsham v Minyip Murtoa 21/09/2019

Horsham                                  4,  14,  24,  34,  43 (43)

Minyip Murtoa                            13,  22,  30,  34,  41 (41)

 

GOALS

Horsham:

M Rethus 24 B Luciani 19 Minyip Murtoa:

C Mackay 24 S Schultz 10 E Huff 7

 

BEST

Horsham:

Minyip Murtoa:

R Elmslie

 

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C Grade:

 

Round GF : Horsham v Ararat 21/09/2019

Horsham                                  10,  16,  21,  30 (30)

Ararat                                   7,  12,  18,  27 (27)

 

GOALS

Horsham:

L Wilkinson 17 K Pope 13 Ararat:

E Borrelli 17 G Fleming 5 J Bligh 5

 

BEST

Horsham:

AM Neale Ararat:

 

 

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17 & Under:

 

Round GF : Ararat v Dimboola 21/09/2019

Ararat                                   11,  23,  30,  40 (40)

Dimboola                                 14,  23,  37,  50 (50)

 

GOALS

Ararat:

D McLoughlan 31 D Segedinski 9 Dimboola:

Z Bergen 34 R Redford 16

 

BEST

Ararat:

Dimboola:

H Ross

 

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15 & Under A:

 

Round GF : Horsham v Stawell 21/09/2019

Horsham                                  9,  17,  27,  34 (34)

Stawell                                  10,  21,  29,  37 (37)

 

GOALS

Horsham:

E Heard 32 E Scott 2 Stawell:

H Graveson 20 M Taylor 17

 

BEST

Horsham:

Stawell:

H Graveson

 

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13 & Under:

 

Round GF : Horsham v Horsham Saints 21/09/2019

Horsham                                  8,  13,  20,  23 (23)

Horsham Saints                           6,  19,  22,  31 (31)

 

GOALS

Horsham:

E Manserra 12 M Scott 11 Horsham Saints:

S Taylor 17 J Clode 14

 

BEST

Horsham:

Horsham Saints:

T Scrimizzi