Colts Australia have booked their spot in a 4th Grand Final in 5 years after defeating the Dunsborough Lightning by 5 points in the Qualifying Final on the Thursday night at the GLC.
In a game hotly tipped to be a prelude to the 2023/24 decided, both teams found it hard to score early with only 1 basket each scored in the opening nine minutes of the match. The referees had their work cut out for them with both teams nerves on show and fouls being called at regular points in the first half. The first half continued to be a tight tussle as both teams failed to make the most of the opportunities they had on offence with the total score being able to be counted on 2 hands. A Lightning time-out with 7 minutes to go in the half allowed both teams to regroup and come up with a way to start to get some ascendency in the match. When Katrina McNamara when to the line after the break and shot both free throws the scores were level at 6 points all, however that seemed to spark the green machine as Colts Australia’s Rennie Meadmore scored 6 of the next 8 points in the match to give her side a 4 point lead heading into the dying stages of the 1st half. Shannon Pross then scored to continue the Colts teams purple patch and giving them a 14 to 8 lead over Dunsborough at half time.
The second half was almost a carbon copy of the 1st as both teams continued to trade baskets back and forth, with both teams showing their class both in offence and defense. The Lightning did try to stage a mini comeback through Lisa Millman who scored 8 points in 2 minutes, including two 3 pointers to get the Lightning withing 3 points with 1 minute to go, unfortunately for Dunsborough, a late foul and 2 successful free throws for Colts Daisy deMorton put the game to bed and booked Colts Australia into the 4th grand final in 5 years.
For the Lightning, they will take to a preliminary final against this seasons surprise packets in the GMAS Diamonds, after they easier accounted for the Dunsborough Sharks by 26 points in the Elimination Final later in the night.
The Preliminary final between Dunsborough Lightning and GMAS Diamonds will take place next Monday at 6pm at the GLC.
Match Centre:
Colts Australia 19
Defeated
Dunsborough Lightning 37
Top Points Scorers:
Australia – Rennie Meadmore 10, Shannon Pross 7
Lightning – Lisa Millman 8, Katrina McNamara 6
OTHER RESULTS
GMAS Diamonds vs Dunsborough Sharks
Diamonds 33 defeated Sharks 7
