The Rockingham Rams capped off a perfect season in the Peel Netball League with a grand final win over the Pinjarra Tigers on Friday night.
The Rams went undefeated throughout the regular season, and managed to hold off a determined Tigers team in the grand final to claim a 43-40 win.
The match provided one of the most competitive games the PNL has produced so far with both teams determined to take home the cup.
The Rams started the better showing their experience but the Tigers did not let that lead extend more than a few goals and reeled in some loose balls to ensure there was only a goal in it by the end of the first.
A couple of changes in the second saw the Rams again push slightly ahead as their defence started to get on top of the Tigers attack.
But the fitness of the Pinjarra girls created some late intercepts and they stayed in touch with scores all locked up at the half.
The intensity of the game started to lift even more during the third with Rockingham stepping up to the plate and showing why they remained undefeated all year with some great skill on display in the shooting circle and a couple of big shot blocks by the defence.
It rattled the Tigers a little with the Rams holding a seven-goal lead at the end of the third, but they were far from being beaten showing grit all over the court.
The Tigers fought to get back within three, but the Rams steadied the ship and took the win.
Rams centre Sophie Mafi was awarded the MVP trophy.
In the reserves, South Mandurah showed off their own undefeated prowess with a hefty win over Rockingham.
Both sides started the night off in blazing fashion with a close opening first quarter.
It took a while for players on both sides to settle into a rhythm but it was the scoring juggernaut of the Falcons that made the biggest impression.
The Rams grabbed a number of loose balls throughout the game and did all they could to return to contention, but the Falcons put their foot down in the second half to run the game out 50-31 winners.
Megan Notowny was named MVP of the game.
Despite the large margin, the game displayed how much the reserves competition of the PNL has grown over the year.
