Sharks munch up grand final rivals

THE burden of being early premiership favourites looked too heavy to carry at times during the past month but last night Sharks proved what many have thought most of the season.

They are the best team in the Cairns Netball Association.

Sharks beat Leprechauns 2 45-40 in the A Grade grand final at Martyn Street Reserve with both teams turning on a spectacle, despite the wet and slippery conditions coating the court.

Little has split the sides all year so it was no surprise that scores were locked 19-all at halftime.

Sharks grabbed control in the third quarter, courtesy of accurate shooting from Louise Verdec and player coach Cherie Horan before a late surge from Leprechauns 2 saw them only trail 31-28 at the final change of ends.

With the premiership at stake, it was the Sharks who started the last quarter best with Verdec and Horan expertly converting the turnovers their midcourt defence provided them.

At the other end, Leprechauns 2 shooters Court Joseph and player coach Lisa Drysdale did enough to keep their side in the contest, but the night undeniably belonged to the Sharks.

After fulltime, a clearly elated Horan credited her players’ composure for the victory.

"It didn’t feel like we were panicking at any stage," she said.

"Possession was good, defence was excellent through the centre and I think we dominated off the turnovers.

"Full credit to Leps, they brought it to us time and time again but we were able to weather the storm."

Drysdale, who was arguably the player of the final, said her side left the court with no regrets.

"I was extremely happy with how everyone played.

"Sharks were just able to outclass us that little bit," she said.

"But if you compare the years of experience they had to the youth and inexperience of our team, then I think in a few years to come, our team will rise and be the better side".