Thursday, March 28, 2024

Surprise Win at Fourth League Finals - June 2013!

Just before the playoffs of Israel Netball's fourth season, Ma'aleh Adumim, having won every single one of their ten matches, were the clear favourites to win gold for the second year running. But on the night they were no match for Jerusalem Mercaz, fourth in the standings, who led from the outset and went on to a well-deserved surprise win of 38-28.

Shu Sha Tel Aviv and the veteran Ra'anana team had played two very close matches during the early rounds (29-24 and 35-37), but when they went head-to-head for the third time in the playoffs, Shu Sha Tel Aviv played better netball and convincingly beat their rivals by 40-27.

There was huge excitement in the hall on the night of June 6th – who would win the medals in this season's finals?

In the match between Ra'anana and Ma'aleh Adumim, Ra'anana took an early lead and held on to it successfully throughout the match. Ra'anana's shooters – the experienced Carol Levin and teenager Tali Kur – skillfully brought the score at the final whistle to 36-23. 

The final between Jerusalem Mercaz and Shu Sha Tel Aviv was as exciting as a final should be! Shu Sha Tel Aviv had the edge at the end of the first quarter leading by 13-10 but at half-time, with the scoreboard showing 21-22 against them, the officials were discussing the rule in case of a tie at the end of the match!

However, by the next interval Jerusalem Mercaz had pulled ahead to a score of 30-27 and went on to a resounding victory of 44-35 to win the gold medal for the first time.

Perhaps the secret ingredient of the two winning teams is that both Ra'anana and Jerusalem players are a mix of ages from teenagers to grandmothers; Jerusalem Mercaz also boasted two superb mother-daughter pairs: Tanya and Anna Pomson, and Susie and Nomi Komar.

At the medal ceremony, Israel Netball's newest team, Katamon, were commended for their outstanding play during the season having beaten Ra'anana once and twice coming very close to beating Ma'aleh Adumim with scores of 28-31 and 19-21.

Winners of this year's awards were:

·        Most Valued Player: Nomi Komar for her amazing shooting skills (she was also last year's Most Improved Player)

·        Sportsmanship: Susie Komar (four of Susie's five daughters will be representing Israel in the Maccabiah in July)

·        Most Improved Player: Talia Sterman (Katamon), Lauren Isaacs (Shu Sha Tel Aviv)

Israel Netball is looking forward to more successes next month at the Maccabiah when both the Juniors and the Seniors will face teams from Australia, GB and South Africa.

In August, for the first time, we are taking our Under-21 team to the prestigious World Youth Netball Championships that will be held in Glasgow, Scotland.