Kendall Jennings, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper
Football and netball finals were held on the weekend, with mother nature delivering sunny skies for winter. It is an achievement for any team to make finals and that fact alone needs celebrating.
Saturday, the Raiders Under 16s netball hit the court at Woorinen for the qualifying final to face Kerang. Raiders’ fans gathered courtside to support the girls with club colours, streamers and cheers for outstanding play.
The Raiders’ girls held the lead for half of the match before Kerang took advantage of the Raiders’ missed shooting for goal attempts. It was an intense match, and the Raiders had brilliant plays. However, the Raiders fell short of the post as Kerang peaked at the right time. Final scores Kerang 51 defeated Koondrook Barham 42.
Coming off a loss from the Mallee Eagles the week prior did not help the Raiders Colt players’ mindset going into the finals on Saturday. Facing Kerang, who they beat well on June 25, should have been a tight game. But something went wrong and the Kerang Colts walked over the Raiders.
Under 14s, Riley Davis was the only player to kick a goal after being awarded a 50-metre penalty, a beautiful kick from the left foot.
Final scores, the Raiders, with one goal and one behind (11), were defeated by Kerang with 16 goals and five behinds (106). Jaspar Wilson-Keir, Lachlan Laursen, Nathaniel Leonard, Angus Laskowski, Trinity Starr and Jake Lowry were the best players.
The Raiders Colts have one more chance to advance. They will face Swan Hill on Sunday at Alan Garden Reserve. The Raiders have only faced Swan Hill once this season, winning in May, however, Swan Hill beat Kerang in August. Hopefully, it will be a great game of footy with tight scores.
The Raiders Reserves travelled to Nyah for the elimination final against Tyntynder, a team the Raiders have played twice this year and were unable to beat. Tyntynder continued their winning form against the Raiders.
Final scores, Tyntynder, with 12 goals and eight behinds (80), defeated the Raiders with seven goals and four behinds (46). Chester Gardner (two goals), Matthew Dean (one goal), Tom Amor (one goal), Ash Molin, Jack Lambert and Dean McGowan (two goals) were the Raiders’ best. Brenden Colville and Todd Frankling kicked a goal.
The Raiders B Grade netball faced Woorinen. The Raiders’ shooting combination was hard to falter, working well together and making shots from any length and angle, allowing the Raiders to convert after a Woorinen error.
Final scores, the Raiders with 45 goals defeated Woorinen with 25 goals. The netball girls will face Nyah Nyah West United at Alan Garden Reserve on Sunday.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 1 September 2022.
