Brown Hill Forge Pizzeria overcame years of tight losses and perennial disappointment as well as long-time rival Dela Assuntas to register a thrilling one-goal victory in Tuesday night’s final in the Ballarat Netball Association.

The 52-51 win in front of a bumper crowd – most of whom were rooting for the underdogs – broke Dela’s attempt at a 13th straight crown.

Early on the Assuntas looked to have Brown Hill’s measure, jumping out to a five-shot quarter-time lead and extending the margin to 30-23 at the main break.

A 15-goal third term saw Brown Hill cut Dela’s lead to just three goals at the final change, before it drew level in the early stages of the fourth.

Each side had its share of ebbs and flows in the final 10 minutes, before a late flurry from Hill, led by goal attack Gina McCartin, put it three shots clear inside the final minute.

However, it wasn’t until the final few seconds that Brown Hill coach Annie McCartin could be sure of the long-awaited win.

“It’s been so long. The feeling was just one of is it going to happen, is 2014 going to be Brown Hill’s grand final,” McCartin said.

“We’ve had close matches over the years and we’ve been after this for so long. It’s just a great feeling.

“We were actually, at one stage, 14 goals down, so for my girls to regroup and come back through the pressure and intensity was a great credit for them.”

Gina McCartin was awarded MVP honours after a stellar four-quarter performance.

Earlier in the night, Wendouree claimed the Laffey Shield with a 56-24 rout of Brown Hill.

A 20-goal second term set up the win, with Kirsty McLean and Caitlin Hughes combining superbly to sink Brown Hill’s hopes, while wing defence Lisa James was named MVP.

Meanwhile, the Dela Thunderbirds capped off a stellar evening by defeating Wendouree for the Camera House under-19 championship.

The highly entertaining affair saw Dela win every term to triumph 65-39.

Centre court star Kathryn O’Dwyer took out the MVP award after a dominant display across the wing attack and centre positions.

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au