Thrilling action in preliminary finals as teams progress to Katanning Netball Association grand finals

It was a big day for the Katanning Netball Association on Saturday and it started with go juniors playing off in round 13.

It was the second last round for the season and many of these young players will be stepping up next year into the higher level of netball.

The set kids continued their mini-game and it was also their second last round.

Juniors had the crowd on their toes with Kojonup Sapphires taking on NAB Lightening in their preliminary final.

A battle from the first whistle and it was anyone’s game.

NAB, however, had the extra hunger which got them over the line, taking a 37-28 win.

The junior grand final will be NAB Lightening and Nutrien Firebirds on Saturday at 10.30am.

The senior preliminary finals were heart-wrenching for some and a major breakthrough for others.

With A-grade coming in hot, it was instant grind for the ball with Olympians 1 taking on their old time opponents Kojonup 1.

Kojonup 1 hunted for the ball every second of the game and grew thee margin.

Olympians 1 did not give up till the very end but it wasn’t enough as Kojonup prevailed 53-42 to progress to the grand final against Allstars 1.

In A-reserves Cardinals Force defeated Kojonup 2.

Cardinals have been fighting hard this season after a slow start but they rallied in the big game to down Kojonup 2, 49-24.

Cardinals will be up against Allstars 2 in the grand final.

It was another nailbiter in B-grade as Te Taitonga 2 and Olympians 2 battled it out one more time to fight for a spot to play in the decider.

The lead changed hands multiple times but Te Taitonga 2 held their composure and scored a thrilling one goal win, 41-40.

Te Taitonga 2 will be up against Allstars 3 for the premiership.

In C-grade Cardinals Phoenix had another chance to make their way in to the grand final and they showed that with such determination through the 60 minutes.

Creating a small lead, Cardies worked on holding the lead throughout the game and emerged with a 48-39 win.

They progress to face Kojonup 3 in the grand final.

The KNA encourages all family, friends and the community to come and support the players in four grand final games on Saturday.