Nail-biting Broome netball round as division one competition nears finals

Round 13 of the Broome Netball Association division one competition took place at the Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre courts on Tuesday evening, with two nail-biting contests proving the competition is really heating up. The first match of the night kicked off at 6.15pm, with season front runners Cable Beach taking on the Broome Bullets in a close contest which saw Beach pull through for the win in the final minutes of the game. New recruit Lilli Best stepped into GS for the Broome Bullets and kicked right into action, with Beach’s GK Jo Dick showing strong defence on the newcomer. The score was tied at 8 all at the end of the first quarter, after both teams took off to an energetic start, with Beach slipping one point ahead by the end of the second quarter, Beach 15 to Bullets 14. The extremely close contest saw tensions rise in the third quarter as victory was within reach for both teams, but Beach managed to inch ahead again, this time by two points, Beach 22 to Bullets 20. Spectators were treated to an exciting final quarter which would make or break the game, as the Bullets fought extremely hard to make up the score difference. The Beach girls stepped up to another level, with a scoring streak which saw them creep further and further ahead until the final whistle sealed their win, Cable Beach 33 to Broome Bullets 25. The later game started at 7.45pm, with a clash between the Broome Bulls and one of the so called “teams to beat,” the Pearler's Old Girls. The first quarter saw strong passing and excellent structure from the Old Girls; two aspects of play which the team are renowned for, with great defence from GD Rebecca Boni and sharp shooting from GS Ruby McWilliams. The Bulls kept up with strong accuracy from GS Teagan Butler and great communication across the quarter, but couldn’t quite match the score, Old Girls 9 to Bulls 7. The second and third quarters saw the Old Girls’ good form continue, but the Bulls held on tightly with quick hands and sharp shooting to stand them in good stead. The final quarter was another nail-biter, as both teams lifted, but the Old Girls once again proved too strong for the Bulls, Pearler’s Old Girls 40 to Broome Bulls 34. As the competition nears finals, Cable Beach sit at the top of the season ladder on 16 points, followed by the Pearler’s Old Girls in second place on 12 points and the Broome Bulls in third place on 10 points. Round 14 will kick off next Tuesday with a face off between the Pearler’s Old Girls and the Broome Bullets at the BRAC courts at 6.15pm.