Somerset's 1st Netball team performed admirably at the Queensland Independent Secondary School Netball tournament during the holidays. The state event was held in the second week in Townsville with 64 teams competing this year for the Queensland title.
The competition gets tougher each year as colleges continue to grow their Netball programmes and new teams being added to the pool.
Our Somerset team had a tough draw this year but took on the challenge with a convincing start on the first day gaining a great win over rivals Sunshine Coast Grammar and then Aquinas College. Two more comfortable wins on Day 2 versus Clairvaux Mackillop and our bogey team, The Cathedral College finally put any demons to rest. Day 3 was tough with a tightly fought win over Marymount College tiring the girls for their big game of the day Townsville’s St Margaret Mary's. Unfortunately we went down to the home side by two goals and were faced with the tough road to the Grand Final. A good win over Coomera Anglican College on Day 4 put us in the right mindset to take on the daunting challenge of playing 2016's winners Matthew Flinders that afternoon.
Unfortunately a very slow start from our girls put Flinders in the drivers seat with a first quarter score of 15 to 7. With nothing to lose and pride at stake, the team fought hard for every ball in true Spartans spirit gaining intercept after intercept. The stadium was packed and the support for our team was inspiring. With two minutes to go the scores were level and it was goal for goal. This game could have gone either way. With 20 seconds of the game remaining and Flinders up by one goal, their shooter went down with an injury and by the time the umpire made the call the clock had ticked down and the game was over. Final score 20 to 19. A lacklustre end to an exciting game, but one that will be remembered for the future!
Our playoff for third and fourth was against St Columban’s with an excellent team win to finish the tournament.
Well done to this amazing team for their outstanding performances throughout the week and giving their absolute all in true Spartan style.
Game Results
- Sunshine Grammar 24 to 13 - Win
- Aquinas - 30 to 1 - Win
- Clairvaux Mackillop - 27 to 9 - Win
- Sienna College - 30 to 21 - Win
- Cathedral College - 25 to 14 - Win
- Marymount College - 19 to 16 - Win
- St Margaret Mary's College - 17 to 19 - Loss
- Coomera Anglican College - 31 to 14 - Win
- Matthew Flinders - 19 to 20 - Loss
- St Columban's - 29 to 23 - Win
Somerset players selected in Tournament teams.
Huge congratulations to Rylee Burns for her selection in the 2018 QISSN All Stars team. Only 10 players are selected from the 640 participating throughout the week. This is the third year Rylee has been selected in this team. Congratulations again on an outstanding achievement.
Congratulations also to Kasey Collins for her selection in the QISSN Rising Stars Team. 10 players are also selected and recognised as the up and coming players of the tournament. Fantastic effort Kasey!
Both Rylee and Kasey were voted Somerset's tournament MVPs. Well done Girls – GO SPARTANS