By Chris McAsey
The Singapore Wombettes have taken out the Women’s Division 1 Championship in Chon Buri with a nail-biting Grand Final win over the Malaysian Warriors.
Malaysia had a shot at goal on the siren to win the match, but the ball flew wide for no score and Singapore hung on to win by five points, 3.0.18 to 2.1.13.
It was a fiercely competitive Grand Final from the first bounce, but it was Malaysia who made the early running. A slick handball set up dashing winger Becky Leng to get the Warriors on the board with a brilliant running goal.
Wombettes’ vice-captain Anita Fox set about getting her team moving with some power running, gaining territory back for the Wombettes. A clever dribble goal by Emilia Miller-Wilson was the end result to even the ledger midway through the first half.
It was a shot of confidence for Singapore, and a cool set shot by full forward Chantel Marsin put them into the lead at half time.
The Wombettes started the second half looking sharper around the ball, but the Warriors defended staunchly and the Grand Final became an arm wrestle.
The deadlock was broken again by dasher Leng, who read the ball beautifully off a pack and snapped truly to give Malaysia back the lead.
It looked like Malaysia had one hand on the Cup, before competition leading goal kicker Marsin conjured a goal from the forward pocket boundary line to regain the lead for the Wombettes.
A desperate run down tackle in the dying minutes by Allison Mancini – reminiscent of Dale Morris on Buddy Franklin in the 2016 AFL Grand Final – set up a final forward thrust for Malaysia.
A difficult set shot for goal by Olivia Archibald just before the siren gave Malaysia a chance to snatch the Cup back, but it wasn’t to be.
Malaysia’s Rachel Thompson was a shining light for her team and was named Grand Final Best Player.
Malaysian captain Rachel Thompson was named Grand Final Best Player.
