Round of premier upsets as Rookies and Mana topple EGNA leaders

Fourth-placed Rookies turned in one of the performances of the season to upset Imperials in last weekend’s round 12 fixtures in the Eastern Goldfields Netball Association’s premier division.

Competition leaders Imperials were chasing a 10th victory but Rookies had their measure in a decisive win by 12 goals, 41-29.

Despite it being just Rookies’ fifth win of the season, the result has injected renewed interest in the finals with two rounds of qualifiers left.

In another upset, third-placed Mana edged out second-placed Sonix 1 by three goals, 42-39.

Steelers beat NVUS, 46-38, to complete the round.

Despite those results, Imperials and Sonix retained their positions on the ladder.

However Mana has moved within a game of Sonix and remain a chance to leapfrog them into second spot, which carries a double chance in the finals.

Round 13 will be played on Friday night when NVUS meet Rookies 1 and Imperials oppose Mana at 6.30pm.

The other clash is at 8pm when Steelers take on Sonix.

Qualifiers continue until August 19, with the finals starting on August 26.

Ladders:

Premier:

Imperials 18 points; Sonix 1 16; Mana 14; Rookies 1 10; Steelers 8; NVUS 6.

Division 1:

Sonix 2 20 points; Sonix 3 16; Mana 1 14; Imperials 2 12; Rookies 2 6; Steelers 1 4; Mana 2 0.

Division 2:

Sapphires 1 20 points; Steelers 2 20 points; NVUS 2 18; Mana 3 12; Flyers 1 10; Rookies 3 6; Sonix 4 6; Imperials 3 4.

Division 3:

Imperials 4 22 points; Steelers 3 14; Flyers 2 12; Sapphires 2 10; Rookies 4 10; Sonix 5 4.