The joy of finally claiming back-to-back premierships was mixed with tears as Hills Solicitors celebrated their fourth and most emotional grand final win.
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The team dedicated the win to the man and woman behind their major sponsors David and Julie Allen, who have backed the club for the past 10 years, and the memory of Allen family matriach Pat who died last Saturday.
Team members wore black arm bands during the game in which they overpowered Club Maitland City in a decisive second quarter to eventually win 54-25.
After a tense first quarter in which they led 12-8, the Hills mid-court players and defenders turned up the pressure to restrict CMC to just one goal for the second term.
At the other end the Hills shooters were unfazed by the wet conditions and cashed in on the great work up court going to the half-time break with a 32-9 lead.
It was 43-18 at the final break and a 54-25 win as Hills maintained steady control after breaking the game apart early.
Defender Tiarne Condron was the player of the match, but she came under stiff competition from her sister and fellow defender Tegan Dennis, goal shooter Mel Morris and mid-court players Michelle Cairns and Tara Pluck.
Morris said they were delighted when the Allen family had given them the OK to wear the black arm bands in honour of Pat.
"David and Julie have been such great supporters of us over the past 10 years. To have the family at the grand final supporting us was very special," Morris said.
"It was great to finally go back-to-back after all these years and attempts.
"The team has been together for 10 years and we are such close friends. We've been in eight straight grand finals so it does mean a lot to finally go back-to-back for the first time."
Morris said Club Maitland City had been tremendous rivals all year and deserved their spot in the grand final.
"We are good friends off the court and enjoy playing against each other," she said.
"They started very well, but we were on our game early as well and managed to grab an early lead after a really tight quarter.
"The second quarter we really took control. To restrict them to just one goal was a fantastic effort by the mid-court and defenders.
"We backed up their work in the circle and established a lead that was just too big to bridge.
"To their credit they kept on pushing right to the end, but it was always going to be too big a lead to make up."
RSL Netball Club team Flames won promotion to A-grade next year with a thrilling 33-31 win over Thornton side Hoppers.
