In unprecedented fashion for a Deloitte Winter League top-flight final, the match rolled into extra time, where they finally deposed holders and regular-season champions Rezzers Green 67-66.
This rollercoaster clash provided a worthy spectacle at Beau Sejour, quite unlike what its club match status might have suggested.
It was rather fitting that U19 Poppy Bisson, before taking league player of the year at the post-event awards, would score many pivotal goals needed to save the match and then win the 2x5min. overtime spell.
Overall, having done so well simply to finish league runners-up and make the Cup final, captain Lois Batiste had to be proud of the whole squad’s efforts.
‘It was a great fight,’ she said.
‘We were hoping we could do it, seeing as we did win our last league match [against Green].
‘You never know on the day.
‘We had lots of injuries and moved players around, but we wanted to put on a show ... it was a good game for everyone to watch.’
For all that, Rezzers Green appeared to be on the front foot most of the way.
They brimmed with experience and proved especially formidable in both circles, with Blacks step-up Naomi Szmierek – covering at GK for injured captain Abby McCracken – applying relentless pressure on defence and GS Clare Henry using her own height and reach to dominate the space around the net.
The league champions eventually struck a welcome scoring run, ending quarter one 15-10 up.
Yet Blacks kept themselves in it by making important turnovers and converting them with surprising ease to equalise at the 20-goal mark.
Although Greens were yet to fall behind even momentarily, leading 29-26 at half time, they were regularly being pulled back by their plucky second string.
Blacks finally crept one goal ahead and, though they did not maintain it, trailed only narrowly at three-quarter time – 43-42.
GK Batiste and GD Viviane Kamworth were racking up big turnovers for Blacks, while sublimely skilled shooter Verona Tomlin was barely your standard B team player.
Yet, amid the pressure and physicality of this title decider, youngsters like in-form GS Bisson and Greens GA Emma Sykes were demonstrating remarkable composure.
Blacks led by three deep into the final quarter only to be caught again – and, with one minute left, the scores were still level.
The feisty finish culminated with two goals in the last 20sec., when Blacks converted their last centre pass against the clock only for the buzzer to go with both sides on 57-all.
The term ‘Cup tie’ became literal and several spectators were left guessing what would happen next.
Greens started extra time forcefully to go four clear, but this counted for little as Blacks finished the first spell just one down – and only because a potential equaliser fell foul of the buzzer.
The deadlock continued until, in the last minute, the underdogs finally gained the lead they needed and took it over the line.
Although they started the season as Rezzers’ second team, Batiste’s side had found themselves in this elevated position following the big strides made by their younger players.
‘We did go in as A and B team,’ the captain said.
‘But the youngsters have come on so much.’
Sister Anna Sauvarin, who was playing up for Greens after delaying her top-flight retirement, added: ‘The reason we did it like that was so the juniors had a really good introduction to the club and the Premier League.
‘The balance of experience and youth has really, really paid off.’
The club atmosphere has been both cordial and competitive this season.
‘We are obviously competitive on court – we all like to win,’ Batiste added.
‘But we are all friends. We are all really good friends off the court as well.’
Rezzers’ current club dominance is only rivalled by the youthful Praxis, who have instead shown impressive versatility in the lower divisions.
This culminated in their junior sides winning the three remaining divisional finals on Sunday.
Their Thunder Orange team of mostly U16 Panthers overcame Specsavers Lightning Storm in Division One, finishing strongly to beat the experienced team 52-35.
The Division Two final ran closer, with their Blues edging Elizabeth College’s first VII 42-36.
In Division 3a, another club contest had emerged, one that R1 won 29-20 from their R2 counterparts. R3 had earlier beaten R4 for 3b honours.
More on Praxis’ standout season and the netball awards to follow.
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