WA Take Fourth Spot at 21/U National Championships

Western Australia has taken fourth place at the 21/U national titles following a three goal loss 53-50 to New South Wales in the third place play-off in Canberra.

The WA side produced good netball throughout the tournament, but missed out on a spot in the final, after Victoria recorded a 48-33 win in the first semi final.

Western Australia had been rocked prior to the tournament by the news that influential WAIS athlete and West Coast Fever squad member Courtney Bruce would miss out with injury, but despite this, WA posted impressive wins over the Northern Territory, Queensland and the ACT to make the top four play-offs.

WA indeed looked likely to cause an upset when it led New South Wales by eight goals early in the second term, but a resurgent 18-8 third quarter from the NSW put WA on the back foot, and they would eventually fall just short in their efforts for the minor medal.

South Australia took championship honours for the first time since 2004 with a 40-36 win over Victoria, with the SA girls reversing their defeat to the Vics from the group stages. South Australia had three times been runners up since their last title, including in 2012, and led by the excellence of goal keeper and player of the tournament Kate Shimmin, were able to keep a tight reign on the Victorian shooters for a highly impressive win.