Fifth vs eighth elimination finals were played in Tocumwal on Saturday, while sixth vs seventh contests were held at Rennie on Sunday.
Qualifying finals featuring the top four will be held next weekend.
Football
Reserves
After finishing eighth (8-8) Picola United’s reserves took on Strathmerton in a see-sawing contest.
Down 22-6 at quarter time, the Blues were lucky not to be further than two goals behind at halftime after the Bulldogs kicked 5.6 to Picola’s four straight.
After the break, Picola seized control while the Bulldogs faltered, and an upset looked on the cards at three-quarter time, 8.1 (49) to 6.7 (43) in the Blues’ favour.
Unfortunately, United couldn’t keep the momentum rolling late on, and Strathmerton pushed back ahead, eventually prevailing 9.9 (63) to 8.3 (51).
Under-14s
Also concluding the regular season in eighth, Picola United’s under-14s battled Tungamah in their elimination final.
The Blues couldn’t get anything going in the first half, struggling for field position and being held scoreless.
Tungamah jumped out by 26 points at the main break, and while the Bears also lost their way in the third, Picola only managed to take a single point off the lead.
Both sides refocused in the final quarter, but two goals each wasn’t enough to turn around the result for the Blues, Tungamah winning 6.3 (39) to 2.2 (14).
Netball
C-reserve
Finishing the season in blistering form to grab eighth place, Picola United continued its momentum in C-reserve, dispatching Deni Rovers by a goal, 20-19.
Neither side’s offence was functioning smoothly in the opening quarter, the team’s managing only three goals apiece, but Picola found some form in the second to open up a three-goal lead 10-7.
Deni cut the lead to one at three-quarter time, but the Blues managed to hold on to win by a single goal.
United awaits the loser of Waaia and Katandra on August 29.
Under-17s
Mathoura’s under-17s finished the season in sixth, but had their finals run ended early by Tocumwal.
The Timbercutters had the narrow edge through the first half, taking a one goal lead into the main break, 16-15.
However, the Bloods dominated after the break, up eight at the last change and cruising home to win 39-24, sending Mathoura home.
Under-15s
The Timbercutters’ under-15s had opposite fortunes.
Ranked seventh, they took down higher rated Barooga 24-20 in their elimination final.
Mathoura built the four-goal advantage in the first term and maintained it throughout.
Barooga got back to within two at the half, but the Timbercutters surged five clear at the last break and held their nerve for the four-goal win.
Mathoura will play the loser between Deni Rovers and Tocumwal on August 29.
Under-13s
Mathoura’s under-13s also advanced, the fifth-ranked Timbercutters confidently handling Barooga 26-16.
An early blitz had Mathoura ahead six goals at quarter time, and it stayed five clear at the half.
The second half brought more of the same as the Cutters advanced confidently by 10 goals.
