WPL: United crowned champions
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Merewether United came from 3-1 down at half-time to beat minor premiers and defending champions Warners Bay 4-3 in the Herald Women’s Premier League grand final at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Sunday.
The league’s leading goalscorer Jenna Kingsley scored a first-half hat-trick to have Warners Bay ahead 3-1 going to the break.
The W-League Jets striker scored in the 12th, 40th and 45th minutes. Tayla Braithwaite scored Merewether’s only goal in the first period in the 42nd minute.
But Sarah Halvorsen proved the matchwinner in the second half when she scored three goals (66th, 76th and 83rd minutes) in a devastating 17-minute period for Warners Bay to seal the victory and Merewether’s second championship.
United also won in 2015.
In the 18s decider Thornton beat Adamstown 2-0, Mid North Coast defeated South Wallsend 1-0 in the 16s grand final and Rosebud claimed the 14s championship with a 1-0 win over Wallsend.
AFL: City, Marlins on collision course
Unbeaten minor premiers Newcastle City and defending champions Nelson Bay will meet in the Women’s Black Diamond AFL grand final on August 27.
City, who feature Merewether WPL players Jamee Ellis, Sarah Halvorsen and Tayla Braithwaite, overpowered Maitland 23.13 (151) to 0.1 (1) on Saturday.
Nelson Bay beat Gosford 9.7 (61) to 0.5 (5).
Netball: Wests Leagues into grand final
Wests Balance Leagues advanced straight into the Greater Open Championship decider with a 45-24 win over three-time defending champions Souths Lions in the major semi-final at National Park on Saturday.
Wests led 11-8 at the first break, 24-13 at half-time then 32-16 heading into the final quarter.
Lions will play BNC Whanau in the preliminary final on August 26. The winner will meet Wests in the grand final on September 2.
Rugby union: Greens claim title
Merewether Carlton secured the Wal Fitzgerald Cup for just the second time in the history of the Hunter Women’s Rugby Union after beating defending champions University 34-12 in the grand final on Saturday.
The Greens, who led the decider 10-5 at half-time, also won in 2005.
Amy Broadhead was awarded player of the grand final.
Broadhead, Naomi Medlin, Maddison Ingram, Danielle Freund, Candice Clay and Brooke Orton all scored tries for Merewether. Danielle Freund converted twice.
Mel Howard and Ryleigh Curtain scored tries for The Students. Brit Duff scored one conversion.
Leaguetag: Souths down Wests
South Newcastle beat Western Suburbs 17-6 to consolidate second spot in Newcastle Rugby League Ladies Leaguetag over the weekend.
Lakes United beat Kurri Kurri 10-4, Maitland downed Cessnock 28-4 and there was no match between Macquarie and Central with the unbeaten leaders being awarded the win.