The defensive efforts of teenage pair Fanago Maher and Geordie Mills have been praised by Altitude captain-coach Kim Starkey as the Branxton side advanced to within one game of the 2015 grand final.
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Altitude defeated Queens Arms 40-27 in the Maitland Netball Association A-grade minor semi-final on Saturday and Starkey said 15-year-old Maher and 17-year-old Mills were among the stand outs.
“The defensive end was just excellent,” Starkey said.
“Fanago Maher is only in year 10 and Geordie Mills hasn’t turned 18 yet – Jenna Cole was fantastic as well.”
It was the third time this season Altitude have accounted for the East Maitland squad after both teams finished on equal points in third spot.
Altitude started the do-or-die encounter on the right foot and pulled away to a sizeable lead at half-time, but Starkey said the third term was key.
“The first quarter we were up by about two and at half-time it was about nine, but it was the third quarter that cemented it for us,” Starkey said.
“In the end it looked one sided, but the score line didn’t reflect how close it felt, it was a good game.”
Queens Arms are now eliminated while Altitude progress to the preliminary final in a fortnight, when they will meet the loser out of Saturday’s major semi-final clash between defending champions Hills Solicitors and second-placed George Tavern.