The local girls produced some outstanding results, with the under-13 division three and under-15 division three teams finishing runners up to Nelson Bay and Kiama respectively at Campbelltown, and the under-14 division two side placing third at Liverpool.

The under-12 division threes secured 12th against some of the best young netball talent from around the state.

Muswellbrook’s under-13s upstaged Mount Druitt (17-8), Wollondilly (14-9), Tamworth (16-7), Queanbeyan (21-6), Casino (12-7), Nelson Bay (18-14), Great Lakes (22-7), Griffith (13-11), City of Sydney (13-5), Coffs Harbour (14-6), Eurobodalla (12-1), Glen Innes (26-1) and Southern Highlands (14-12), as well as drawing with Ballina (13-all), neighbours Singleton (15-all) and Barellan and District (18-all).

Three losses – to Cowra and District (15-14), Taree and District (14-8) and Forbes (16-14) – upset the applecart.

The under-15s accounted for Shoalhaven (19-17), Mount Druitt (20-15), Brunswick Byron (21-12), Eurobodalla (21-11), Blayney (16-8), Woolgoolga (19-10), Queanbeyan (11-9), Maitland (24-5) and Tamworth (22-19).

The squad also drew with Casino (11-all), Ballina (15-all) and Coffs harbour (12-all), and dropped two matches to Great Lakes (14-12) and Kiama (15-11).

Coach Ian Ingle said his under-15 side came home strongly on day three of the championships.

“We won our final four games, which included a two-goal victory over Queanbeyan and an exciting three-goal triumph at the expense of Tamworth in the last outing,” he told the Chronicle.

“This effort, plus other results, enabled them to grab second spot to Kiama, who was one of our losses from 14 encounters. 

“The girls were unbeaten after the opening day with three wins and two draws.

“While day two saw them produce two victories, one draw and a couple of close defeats by two and four goals.

“Unfortunately, this dropped us back to fourth place.

“The team regrouped and played some excellent netball, with strong drive, skill and tenacity, to score four wins.

“Overall, we ended up on 21 points – and snared runners up on percentages from Ballina.

“The girls hailed from Scone, Singleton and Muswellbrook associations and blended well into a very competitive outfit.

“They were a pleasure to coach and much credit for their performance goes to assistant coach/trainer Tony Deakin, who attended the carnival after 15 days in hospital.

“Thanks to a supportive and dedicated group of parents who made the trip down, as well as our terrific manageresses Kate Richards and Racheal Crossley.

“The team was able to attend the championships due to a number of sensational sponsors: Royal Hotel, Finders Keepers, Dimmock’s Meats, Melanie’s Jewellers, Rob Gordon Massage, Domino’s Pizza, Irwins Packaging, OAS Technology Group, Aah Pizza Bella, Martin Cousins, Lola Upton and the Agricultural Hotel, Singleton.”