SUTHERLAND SHIRE netball is today celebrating their first grand final victory in more than a decade in the State League Waratah Cup.
In a thrilling finish, the Maria Lynch-coached team came from eight points down at one stage to hit the lead with just a minute to go to topple favourites, Eastwood Ryde, 45-43.
Wing defender and nurse Paula Mitchell capped a big night in her swansong game after 11 years of State League representative netball by also taking out the inaugural 2012 Netball NSW President’s Medal for the game’s Most Valuable Player.
‘‘Both teams played exceptional netball, from the shooters right down to the defence,’’ said Lynch. ‘‘We only had eight players available so we knew we had to hold in there.’’
Margaret Corbett, the veteran Sutherland official and premiership-winning coach added: ‘‘We believed we had every position covered this season...and that’s how it worked out.’’
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