Celtic Dragons 52, Team Northumbria 47
Head coach Trish Wilcox says her Celtic Dragons team have learned the lessons from their 2017 Vitality Netball Superleague season.
Wilcox insists Dragons will return next season having grown and improved from their experience.
They finished a tough campaign in style, winning 52-47 against Northumbria at Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre.
“All the players have improved,” said Wilcox. “It was great to show everybody how much they’ve improved and finish on a high note.
“It’s been a challenging season, we haven’t quite got over the line on such small margins.
“It’s been a real growth this year. We’ve had some young players that have had experience for the first time and they will have learned so much from this.
“So it bodes well for the future.”
Dragons players celebrated their victory, but Green Army fans will have to wait for Wing-Attack Bethan Dyke’s victory back-flip.
Dyke promised to do that for fans if Dragons won either of their last two fixtures and has asked the Green Army to be patient.
A Dragons tweet said: “Our @bethanndyke was unable to perform the much anticipated back-flip (too busy winning the game). But has promised to film it soon.”
Centre Stacey Peeters was named player of the match, playing with speed and accuracy while supporting her shooters.
Goal-attack Kalifa McCollin continued her good form, taking her personal goals tally past the 500 mark on a shooting average of more than 90 cent.
Dragons will reflect on finishing last in the 10-team Superleague, three points behind Northumbria, and are determined to return for 2018 stronger mentally and physically.
They won three of the four quarters against Northumbria underlined their character, team spirit and team courage in a thrilling final session.
The visitors fought back from 26-21 behind to tie the game up at 36-36 and even went ahead early in the fourth. But Dragons held their nerve, pushed again and emerged winners.
“It was a great win, the girls performed to expectations – this is how we know they can perform,” said Wilcox.
“They pulled it out. This was a tight game, an exciting game and they pushed on when they were ahead which was fantastic.
“I’m so proud of each and every one of them.”
Captain Suzy Drane set the tone for the match with an interception on the Northumbria centre pass and the home team swept ahead.
Northumbria looked to reset ready for the second quarter, scoring on the first centre pass.
Green Army supporters needn’t have worried as their team stormed ahead to fight off the Northumbria threat. A fiery defence and speedy mid-court play by Dragons saw them fight off their opposition and extend their lead with a score of 26-21 at half-time.
A more confident Northumbria stepped on to court in the third quarter, looking to take the lead from their hosts.
Unforced errors appeared on both sides and at the end of a tense, close quarter of goal-for-goal netball, neither could secure a lead with a nail-biting 36-36 on the scoreboard.
Fern Davies was sent on as WD for the final quarter.
Team Northumbria tightened the defence and turned up the heat in their attacking end in attempt to shake the Dragons. Home players kept their cool and the green defensive wall was up and unyielding.
Team Northumbria caused the crowd to become nervous as they took the lead for the first time at 36-37, but the game was far from over.
A combination of quick decisions, relentless defensive pressure and confident shots meant Dragons delivered an exhilarating end to the game, and the season, with a 52-47.
Celtic Dragons starting 7: GK Kelly Morgan, GD Lois Rideout, WD Suzy Drane (capt), C Stacey Peeters, WA Bethan Dyke, GA Kalifa McCollin, GS Eleanor Roberts.
Team Northumbria starting 7: GK Tuaine Keenan (capt), GD Noleen Lennon, WD Imari Thomas, C Fi Toner, WA Brie Gibson, GA Chi Semple, GS Tamsin Moala.
Quarter-scores (Dragons first): 12-9; 14-12 (26-21); 10-15 (36-36); 16-11 (52-47).