PFNL 2018: Pinjarra topple Rockingham to book spot in netball grand final

The Tigers hit the road to take on a Rams outfit determined to undo their loss to the Demons in the first week of finals, but playing as the away team did little to dampen their spirits as they notched a healthy 47-30 win to claim their third consecutive grand final berth.

The game started as a bit of an arm-wrestle with Pinjarra managing to edge their way to a four-goal lead at the end of the first quarter, but they took control in the second.

Using Hannah Storer as their focal point the Tigers extended their lead to 11 points at half time, and despite a slight challenge from the Rams in the third they were able to run out comfortable winners.

Storer starred with 43 of Pinjarra’s total 47 goals on the night, while Daviniss Rere led Rockingham’s scoring with 13.

The victory slingshots the Tigers into a grand final date with Waroona, who had their number in last year’s big game.

Pinjarra will be keen to make it third time lucky, having gone down in the previous two grand finals.

Rockingham’s reserves managed to make the most of their opportunity with a 20-goal win over South Mandurah securing them a spot in the grand final.

The Rams were undefeated on the year before going down to a rampant Waroona outfit in the first week of finals, but managed to bounce back and book their place in the big game with a 57-37 win over the Falcons.

They had the early jump on their guests when a 17-8 first quarter had them up by nine goals, but South Mandurah dug deep to ensure no further damage was done in the second.

Unfortunately for the Falcons they weren’t able to cut into the lead, and the Rams found their rhythm again in the third assuming an 18-goal lead at the final break.

By the end of the game they’d secured a 20-goal victory, and in doing so secured a rematch with Waroona in the grand final.

The most thrilling of the three preliminary finals came in the open grade, where Halls Head fended off a determined Pinjarra outfit to claim a four-goal win.

The Tigers put in a stunning second half to come roaring back into the game after the Lightning pulled away in the second quarter, but ultimately fell just short with a 35-39 loss.

A close encounter opened the game with the two going toe-to-toe in the first, with scores locked at nine apiece at the first break.

But Halls Head owned the second quarter to take a 10-goal lead into half time, which Pinjarra cut to seven heading into the fourth.

The Tigers fought hard but the Lightning was able to keep them at bay, setting their date with South Mandurah in the grand final.