Ladder spots tighten after Rookies 1 upstage top-four rivals

Rookies 1 leapfrogged Imperials 1 into third place on the Eastern Goldfields Netball Association’s division one ladder after they last week outclassed them by 15 goals, 52-37, that continued a keen battle for finals spots.

With five rounds of qualifiers remaining, just one win separates competition leaders Sonix 1 from fourth-placed Imperials 1, with Mana 1 the only team seemingly out of contention.

Also last weekend, Steelers 1 extended Mana’s winless sequence this season to eight games, in a 56-48 result.

Percentage is dictating the top-four, with Sonix 1 holding first place over Steelers 1 — each with a record of five wins, two losses and a draw.

Similarly, Rookies 1 and Imperials 1 are locked on four wins, three losses and a draw — ahead of the resumption of division 1 fixtures on July 17.

Results:

Division 1:

Steelers 1 d Mana 1 56-48; Rookies 1 d Imperials 1 52-37.

Division 2:

Mana 2 d Sapphires 2 59-45; Steelers 2 d Rookies 2 52-46; Imperials 2 d Sonix 2 54-45.

Division 3:

Steelers 3 d Sapphires 1 39-19; Flyers 1 d Sonix 4 83-37; Imperials 3 d Rookies 4 33-31; Mana 3 d Sonix 3 52-42.

Division 4:

Mana 4 and Sapphires 4 drew 34-34; Imperials 4 d Steelers 4 25-24; Flyers 2 d Rookies 3 67-20; Goldstrikers d Sapphires 3 38-34; Sonix 5 d Rookies 5 68-20; Sonix 6 d Mana 5 34-20.

Division 1 ladder:

Sonix 1, Steelers 1 11 points; Rookies 1, Imperials 1 9; Mana 1 0.