The biggest night of The Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League competition kicked of with the Reserves division’s Grand Final.
It was a 2025 Grand Final re-match in Reserves as reigning premiers Contax Netball Club took on last year’s runners up Matrics Netball Club.
Contax burst out of the gates in the opening minutes, taking an early for goal lead on the back of immense defensive pressure.
Anna Goad was particularly impressive for the Blues in goal keeper, disrupting the Stars’ shooters in the air and over the shot.
The Stars built into the game as attacking combinations started to click. The connection between Matrics wing attack Edie Berger and goal shooter Elouise Nordhausen began to shine and the Stars found themselves in front at the halfway mark of the opening quarter.
The Blues remained patient as the Stars clogged the middle channel in their attack and finished the term up by two goals.
Contax took the second quarter by storm, building a six goal lead early, until the Stars capitalised on a series of missed shots to draw the scoreline back to one with three minutes to go.
Grace Stevens entered the game at goal shooter for Matrics and had an immediate impact, combining with Nordhausen who moved to goal attack.
At half-time, Contax led by just one goal, 24-23.
Intensity was high as the second half kicked off. The Blues injected fresh legs into the game as Leah Anderson-Morris came on at wing attack and Rachel Hayball moved into centre.
Relentless effort in defence paid dividends as the Blues pulled away in the second half of the quarter and entered the final break with an eight-goal buffer.
The reigning premiers put their foot down in the final quarter, extending their lead to 51-39 by the halfway mark.
Jazmine Noye was crucial in goal attack, creating play and finding her connection with goal shooter Samaya Oakley.
The Stars wrung the changes in search of answers, but despite a couple of strong defensive wins, they were unable to pull the scoreline back.
The Blues secured the back-to-back premiership with a final score of 58 to 45.
Post-match, Anna Goad was named Player of the Match.
