Northern Regional Shield champions, St Patrick`s College have become the first team to take out the Tassie Hawks Netball Shield overcoming a determined Marist College 48 - 16 at the Silverdome in Launceston.
The triangular series saw St Patrick`s College registering two wins, Marist Regional College one win and Geilston Bay High School without a win in the series.
The attitude and approach from all teams to each game was first class.
The two teams through to the inaugural Tassie Hawks Netball Grand Final were St Patrick`s College and Marist Regional College.
It was an electrifying grand final opening quarter with both teams moving the ball quickly from one end of the court to the other. Neither team established ascendancy as both held strong on attack despite early nerves, and rock solid defence created missed opportunities at both ends of the court.
The two goal advantage to St Patrick`s at the end of the first quarter proved a fair result of an even and testing opening quarter as both teams took time to settle.
In the second quarter it was St Patrick`s who displayed more efficiency and effectiveness with the ball, while Marist struggled to make inroads on the back of some crucial lapses.
Marist were unable to convert their opportunities and were held to just two goals as the St Patrick`s team peeled off 11 goals to lead 20 – 9 at half-time.
The Marist defensive unit struggled to contain the control of shooters Celia Groenewegen and Daisy Jenkins as the home team waltzed out to a 13 goal lead.
Marist were unable to reduce the deficit, but it was St Patrick`s who held all the cards, leaving them with one hand on the Tassie Hawks Netball Shield when they led 30 – 13 at three-quarter time.
St Patrick`s maintained their dominance in the run home, as their skill, desire and professionalism proved decisive in repelling everything Marist could throw at them.
What a start to the Tassie Hawks Netball Shield – bring on 2010.
GRAND FINALSt Patrick`s College 48 goals defeated Marist Regional College 16 goals
TRIANGULAR SERIES RESULTSGame One: St Patrick`s College 37 def Marist Regional College 23
Game Two: St Patrick`s College 58 def Geilston Bay High School 10
Game Three: Marist Regional College 56 def Geilston Bay High School 17
