THE future of Dubbo netball looks bright after the 17s side took out the 2015 GrainCorp West/Central West State League Division 2 title on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Finals day at Orange PCYC saw both the Dubbo Division 1 and 2 sides qualify for the deciders but while the Division 1 team was thoroughly outclassed the Division 2 team finished their season as undefeated champions.
A big part of the reason for Dubbo playing their 17s side in Division 2 is the fact the team will contest the State Championships in June and the State League was the perfect opportunity for them to perfect their combinations while playing against much more experienced players.
"This is just the beginning of their campaign for State Championships," co-coach Sharon Edmunds said.
"It has been a great start and Tash (co-coach Tash Tehiko-Watts) and I will be building on this as we look to the Orange and Westlakes carnivals in April."
After winning their semi-final 57-33 over Parkes, Dubbo met Bathurst in the Division 2 finale.
The lead changed many times during the match and after going into the fourth quarter with their noses in front, Dubbo held on for a thrilling 47-43 win.
"I asked a lot from the girls in this game and they delivered," Edmunds said after the victory.
The mood wasn't so jovial in the Division 1 camp after Orange again proved their dominance and claimed an all-conquering 20th straight State League title.
After proving themselves as contenders last season, Dubbo were determined to put an end to Orange's streak and got their chance after defeating Bathurst (1) 50-33 in the semi-final.
With Khyarne Biles and Emily Willmott battling injuries they picked up in the semi-final, Dubbo trailed Orange 14-9 at the end of the final's first quarter.
While Dubbo applied pressure in defence Orange shooters Sinead Bradley and Erin Johnstone didn't miss in the second quarter and helped push their side out to a 31-16 lead at half-time.
Both teams seemed to slow in the third quarter, however, Orange still pushed the score out to 46-24.
Orange and Dubbo made some changes for the final period, bringing on some younger players, but Orange was able to pull away again for the 37-goal victory.
Dubbo co-coach Karen Weekes was disappointed after the match but said the determination to beat Orange still remains as strong as ever.
"It was a great game. Obviously we would have hoped for it to be a little bit closer but we're really proud of the way our girls played," Weekes said.
"Our girls played as best as Orange let them play today. It remains our goal to beat Orange."
After proving themselves as the dominant force in netball for two decades now, the squad and coaching staff were overjoyed after the win.
"Twenty years - that's a good feeling," Orange co-coach Jacky Lyden said.
"It's excellent and the girls really deserved it," fellow coach Em Callaway said of the 20th title.
"We've had that consistent team and a lot of the girls have been there for a long time."
Orange has qualified to contest the NSW Inter-Regional State League event on September 26-27.
In other grand finals on Sunday, Orange defeated Bathurst 28-21 in the 17s final and Cowra took out the 15 years competition after a 36-17 win over Orange.