A classic sporting moment of the two rival captains embracing captured the spirit of a hard-fought and close opening final in the Maitland netball A-grade competition.
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Royal Federal’s Kim Starkey and LJ Hooker’s Jess Stephenson hugged each other in mutual appreciation of their individual and team efforts after Royals finally prevailed to win the first semi-final 45-38.
“It was close all game. Only a few goals separated us until we were able to pull away in the end,” Starkey said.
“I think we started to play the type of netball we wanted to towards the end.
“Our defensive end Beth Millstead and Jenna Cole were probably our best players, but I was also really pleased with how our young shooters stood up to the pressure in their first A-grade final.”
Royal Federal get the week off now, with last year’s grand finalists The George Tavern and Hills Solicitors meeting in the major semi-final.
“The week’s break will hopefully give Kate Summers a chance to recover from injury to play,” Starkey said.
