GVL Netball | United hangs on in a thriller

Echuca 62

Shepparton United has earned the title of extra time heroes after gritting its teeth to hold on and beat Echuca in a remarkable preliminary final yesterday.

The Demons - coming off last week's extra time thriller against Shepparton - held their nerve to overcome the reigning premier in a 65-62 win at Deakin Reserve.

Under overcast skies, United needed an extra 14 nail-biting minutes to end its five-game losing streak against the Murray Bombers.

In doing so, the Dees booked a date with Seymour in Sunday's Goulburn Valley League A-grade netball grand final.

"I'm so proud of them, they have worked so hard this year, I'm very excited for them," United coach Tania Orchard said.

"This win is a true testament of how good of a side they can be if they get it right on the day.

"To lose both games to Echuca and get up in an extra time prelim final - it's a very sweet feeling.

The fashion the Demons won in yesterday was worthy without the extra time panic.

Echuca began fast out of the blocks with its elegant passing between star attackers Casey Frame and Claudia Mawson helping post an eight-goal lead.

But a superb intercept from United's Jess Barnes spurred her side on, as they trimmed back the lead to 15-10 at the first break.

"I think it was a bad first quarter, I think the nerves got the better of us," Orchard said.

"But then that second quarter, that was just unbelievable.

"That's the way they need to play and they need to have the belief that they can play that way."'

Unbelievable it truly was.

United outscored the Murray Bombers 20-7 in a clinical second term performance that had onlookers amazed.

Liv Kirby and Laura Cole tightened up their defensive efforts for United and along with Kara Dawes, helped stem the tide.

Dawes was moved to wing defence and helped instill belief for the two young defenders.

"I think changing her into that wing defence position was pivotal," Orchard said.

"It just gave our young defenders an experienced head down there."

With the entrance of Echuca's experienced midcourter Steph Vick after half-time, the momentum swung again in the third term.

Vick was instrumental in helping get her side back within striking distance, as United's margin was cut to three goals at the final break.

Zara Pearson was shifted from the midcourt to defence and had the job of containing Barnes in the circle.

At one stage, United's gun goal attack was double-teamed when Bridget Byrne tried to help Pearson in curbing Barnes' input.

With seconds remaining in regular time, Echuca had the chance to seal a spot in the premiership decider, with Mawson's shot bouncing out. 

But it was Barnes who stood tall when her side desperately needed her too.

"She is bloody unreal, isn't she? She is unbelievable," Orchard said.

"When she is up and about, anything can happen.

"But it takes a team to win a game and not one player, I couldn't be prouder of them."