MOYHU was the big winner in week one of the Ovens and King netball finals series, with the Hoppers pulling off a stunning win over the previously undefeated Milawa to earn passage through to the preliminary finals.
While the Hoppers were expected to be more than competitive, Milawa was the hot tip to win Saturday's qualifying final clash after finishing on top of the ladder with 17 wins and one draw.
But the Demons were immediately put on the back foot as Moyhu launched an opening quarter blitz, piling on the goals to lead 14-5 at the first change.
Milawa started to claw its way back in the second term, reducing the deficit to seven goals, before seizing the momentum in the third and taking a one goal buffer thanks to the superb play of Jackie Gardner, Sarah Clarke and Jami Hunt.
The turnaround could have been a demoralising blow for the Hoppers, but instead they got back to playing the way they started the match.
With Jenna McLeod and Laura Gourley keeping things tight down back, Claire Sutton, Chaye Crimmins and Jenni Annett transitioning the ball with crisp passing through the middle, and Colleen Balfour and Steph Hogan combining superbly inside the circle, the Hoppers finished all over the Demons, winning the match 46-40.
Coach Sharon De La Rue, who was last week named the OandK's Coach of the Year, said it was a most satisfying victory.
"The girls have been working really hard on the track in the lead up to finals, so it really was a reward for their efforts," De La Rue said.
"We've been playing really well, and we knew it was going to be a competitive match because Milawa is a strong side.
"We caught an early break and a bit of luck went our way in the first quarter, but we knew they would come back and they did.
"But the girls showed discipline to come away with a very good win."
While she was delighted with the end result, De La Rue said there was plenty of room for improvement from the Hoppers.
"We played our best two quarters (first and last) of the year," she said.
"I think we played two and a half quarters of brilliant netball we need to turn that into four quarters.
"We lost our focus in the third quarter Col (Balfour) hit the deck.
"She got up close and personal with the court, which was unusual, because I've never seen her put a hand on the court.
"That shook us up a little bit, but we regrouped at three quarter time.
"The girls took some inspirational intercepts in all thirds of the court in the last quarter they played with a lot of composure and discipline."
In Saturday's other qualifying final, Greta proved too strong for Whorouly once again, outscoring the Lions 14-8 in the final term to win the match 48-44.
Michelle Gaston, Susan Ginnivan and Lindsey Tanner were the stars for the Blues, while Kristy Newton, Sally Chalmers and Nat Marek-Rhodes were Whorouly's best players.
On Sunday, Amanda Parker, Kate Mulqueen and Lisa Kerlin were the stars of Tarrawingee's big win over King Valley, 59-34.
The Bulldogs showed just how much they have improved since recording a 50-50 draw against the Roos less than two months ago, winning every quarter on the way to a 25-goal victory.
Sunday's other elimination final was a similarly one-sided affair, with Goorambat dishing out a 21-goal defeat to rival Swanpool.
Again it was a different story from when the two sides last met, with the Swans getting up by two goals in round 13.
Rebecca Lennard led the scoring with 34 goals, while Amelia Gall and Allison Ellis also starred for the Bats.
BY - SCOTT ANDERSON.
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TEAM EFFORT:Colleen Balfour lines up a shot. PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
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Last Modified on 31/08/2011 20:02