NDNA 2024: Cuballing fire in back half against Pingelly to advance through to A1 decider in weekend of prelims

Cuballing 1 booked a grand final berth after a strong nine-goal win over Pingelly 1 in the Narrogin and Districts Netball Association A1 preliminary final on Friday night.

Both teams showcased their speed and skills, exciting spectators throughout the game in a goal-for-goal heart-racer.

Only two goals separated them at half-time but a fiery Cuballing emerged after the main break.

Cuballing pulled away from Pingelly with a 13-8 quarter with strong defence from Jayeisha Ford and Taya Olman was combined with offensive work from Regina and Telisha Kickett.

Alex Hodges flew around the court for Pingelly in the final term and combined with Katie MacNamara and Deb McBurney to steady Pingelly, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap with Cuballing running out winners 61-52.

Cuballing will face Williams 1 in the grand final this weekend.

The A2 preliminary final was a physical match with both teams looking to take their place in the grand final.

Williams 2 upped their defence down the court determined to improve on last week.

The pressure combined with superb shooting saw Williams dominate and book their place in the grand final with a 46-30 triumph.

There will also be a rematch of the semifinal with Wagin 2 taking on Williams 2 in a game that is sure to be a thriller.

Olympics Royals and Wagin 3 met on Saturday in a game where it was impossible to predict who was going through to the decider next weekend.

With Wagin only losing to Wickepin 2 by two goals last week, they were looking to bounce back in the prelim.

Olympics Royals had other ideas and were on a strong run home.

The game was intense from the first whistle with Wagin trying everything to gain an edge but Olympics Royals held steady.

Olympics Royals’ accurate shooting in a high-scoring game saw them edge out Wagin 59-50.

They will now take on minor premiers Wickepin next week.

The junior division one game was a much tighter contest where Waves 2 took on Cuballing 2 with both teams taking wins throughout the season.

These two teams always provide an exciting game to watch and this preliminary was no exception.

The game was fast-paced and intense with the teams going goal-for-goal.

As the final minutes counted down, it was impossible to separate the two and we expected to head into extra time with a draw.

But Cuballing managed to stay calm under pressure and clinch the win by a goal with Waves 2 unable to complete an impossible penalty shot on the final whistle and the final score stood at 44-43.

A rematch of the 2023 junior division one grand final has been set with Olympics Teal taking on Cuballing 2 next Sunday.

In the junior division two grand final, minor premiers Flames Fire take on Olympics Cobalt on Sunday.

This grand final is sure to be close with both teams taking a win each during the season.