ORDER has been restored in the Central Highlands Netball League.
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Just one week after two shock upsets that saw top two sides Learmonth and Springbank knocked off in the in the first week of finals, both took full advantage of the coveted double-chance to come roaring back into premiership contention.
If the first week of finals was one that showed the competition was wide open, the second was one that demonstrated the Lakies and Tigers very much have a point to prove.
After all, they had tasted defeat just once between them for the entire season, back when Learmonth won the top-of-the-table clash in round nine.
The Lakies were the first to book their preliminary final spot, beating Learmonth 45-31 to advance to the final four on Saturday.
This followed the shock of the season in the first week of finals when they tasted defeat for the first time at the hands of fourth-placed Buninyong.
They will meet reigning premiers Skipton, with the winner to advance to the grand final.
In their only meeting for the season so far, Learmonth proved far too good, winning by 23 goals back in round 11.
In the Sunday fixture at Learmonth, it was Springbank that was convincing winners over Dunnstown.
The Tigers simply blew the Towners out of the water from the outset, winning 60-21 in a truly one-sided affair.
They have now set up a preliminary final berth with the Bombers, in what will be a repeat of the round three clash.
In that match it was the Tigers that triumphed by 25 goals, arguably making them the favourites going into next week’s encounter.
PRELIMINARY FINALS FIXTURE
A-grade: Skipton v Learmonth, Buninyong v Springbank.
B-grade: Learmonth v Springbank, Waubra v Ballan
C-grade: Learmonth v Bungaree, Waubra v Dunnstown.
17/under: Bungaree v Springbank, Carngham-Linton v Skipton.
15/under: Buninyong v Bungaree, Hepburn v Newlyn.
13/under: Newlyn v Bungaree, Buninyong v Gordon.