Saturday’s game in the ladies division was Starlet Have a Chat versus The Anodes encounter and from the outset it appeared that this game had a social aspect to it - perhaps the very reason these ladies have come back to playing netball.

Certainly laughter and giggling spilt over and was well noticed by spectators. That it proved such an enjoyable social game emphasises why the ladies’ competition was introduced.

Starlets have not won a game all season and were there to finish the season on a high note. The Anodes struggled for numbers this week only having six players take the court. Surprisingly the game started very closely with Starlets taking the narrow lead into the break at 9-8. The game continued to see-saw throughout the second quarter with the Starlet side probably having slightly more possession and led at half time 18-17.

The game had several pauses as some motherly duties were needed to be performed, but again no-one minded this or the social side of the game. Melissa Dowel shot well for Starlets, as did Marlene Cameron when able to get the shot away due to the height of her opponent in Leanne Galvin. Belinda Bunter the shorter of the defenders for The Anodes plays well getting the intercepts. Kristy Morrow The Anodes C plays consistently covering the court proficiently. Starlet C Verena Bartlett also covers the court well and was another assset to the game.

In the end Starlet finished the victors 42-35 with an extremely wet ending to the Mudgee District Netball’s final round for the 2008 season.

Good luck to all those that have made it through to the semi-finals next week. The draw will be in this Friday’s Mudgee Guardian.