M1 Netball Super League: Sharks reach Grand Final after outshooting battling Orcas

SINGAPORE  – The Tiger Sharks finally booked their spot in the M1 Netball Super League grand final on April 29 when they defeated the Fier Orcas 59-47 in the preliminary final on Sunday (April 23).

The Orcas had reached the preliminary final after defeating the Magic Marlins 56-44 in their semi-final on Saturday while the Sharks were beaten by the Mission Mannas 47-36 in their semi-final clash.

The Orcas were hoping to make history in only their second season in the NSL. Last year, they lost all their matches, and had already made history by reaching the preliminary final this year. But their dreams of taking it a step further and advancing into the grand final were dashed by the Sharks.

Indeed, the Sharks were already the favourites entering Sunday's decider as they had already beaten the Orcas twice in the round games, winning 58-37 (round 1) and 55-40 (round 2). 

And even though the Orcas led by three with five minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Sharks caught up and finished the tight affair ahead by 13-11.

The Orcas made one change in the second quarter, bringing in Tay Shi Pei at WD to replace Tau Galewa as they were mindful that the Papua New Guinea international players in the tournament have to play a minimum of two quarters and maximum of three quarters.

But the Sharks tightened their defence in the second quarter, and forced the Orcas attackers into making errors. The Sharks stretched their lead to six goals after five minutes, continued to dominate before eventually seizing the quarter 16-7 for a 29-18 half-time lead.

The Orcas made several changes in the third quarter, moving Natalie Long to GS, Leah Brokmann to C, Celeste Lee to WA, bringing in Tau Galewa as GD and moving Reena Rajamohan to GK. Orcas defenders Rajamohan and Galewa also stepped up their game to pressure the Sharks’ shooters. However, despite their best efforts, they still ended up trailing 32-42 to the Sharks atr the end.

The Sharks kept the same line-up through the game while Fier Orcas brought in Jacklyn Lahari as WA and moved Celeste Lee to C.

Despite fighting all the way to the end, the Orcas were unable to break down the Sharks. Meanwhile, the shooting duo of Cassandra Soh and Zhang Ailin were in red-hot form, posting an accuracyshooting rate of 86 percent. The Sharks eventually triumphed 17-15 for an eventual 59-47 win and the ticket to the grand final.

Sharks skipper Vanessa Lee was happy with her team’s performance. “I think we played a very controlled game today," she said. 

"We kept our possession and that was key in us winning the game.”

But Lee is well aware of the need for the Sharks to up their game against the Mission Mannas next Saturday (2pm, Toa Payoh Sports Hall).  

“Our bodies are tired after two hard games this weekend. We will have to recover well for the final," she said.

"Against the Mannas, we will need to go back to basics and make sure we cut down on unforced errors. Our game will have to be clinical and precise.”