Stingrays score in last five seconds to beat Mannas 32-31 in Netball Super League preliminary final

By REDintern Chan Hui Mui

Jurong East Sports Hall, Sunday, April 19, 2009 – Despite taking a five-point lead at half-time, Mannas failed to stop Stingrays from scoring in the last five seconds and succumbed 31-32 in their Netball Super League preliminary final match.

This win sends the Stingrays into the final to challenge defending champions Marlins for the title.

Stingrays took an early 3 -1 lead in the first quarter but unforced errors by Stingrays coupled with a strong Mannas attack gave Mannas a one-point lead with six and a half minutes to go. The lead was further widened as Mannas took the first quarter 12-9.

Tight defence from Mannas on Stingrays GA Yeo Pei Qin in the goal circle limited Stingrays to only four goals in the quarter. Meanwhile, Mannas GS Yasmin Ho was scoring with ease to build up an 18-13 lead by the end of the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Stingrays forced Mannas into turnovers to steal the lead back with five minutes left on the clock.

Mannas Centre Michelle Ong was put under pressure resulting in misplaced passes to shooters and turnovers. However, good support from the Mannas defenders helped to send balls back into their attacking goal third, allowing Michelle Ong to feed the shooters again who converted. These crucial goals helped the Mannas to take the lead back and end the quarter leading 25-23.

The Mannas failed to extend their lead further at the end of the quarter when Yasmin Ho failed to score a penalty shot despite having both the Stingrays Goal Defence and Goal Keeper out of play.

In the fourth quarter, the Mannas held on to the lead until the Stingrays overturned the Mannas’ centre pass to draw level at 29-29 with slightly more than four minutes left.

With the score tied, the Mannas failed to push the game into overtime when the Stingrays scored a goal in the last five seconds to win the game 32-31.