Sport
11 August, 2026
Trentham secures last A grade finals spot with cathartic victory over Maldon
Following two straight years of falling at the precipice of finals, Trentham weren’t going to let this opportunity pass, emphatically punching their top-eight ticket with a satisfying 84-43 victory over Maldon.
After a five-game hiatus, sharpshooter Hannah Weier answered the Saints’ finals prayers with a 61-goal performance that helped the visitors build a healthy half time lead that only expanded.
With their sixth win of the season, Trentham officially joined Avoca, Navarre, Natte Bealiba, Carisbrook, Lexton, Talbot and Dunolly as the eight teams who have earned the right to fight for ultimate premier-ship glory.
As they looked to avoid a second winless season, the Bombers welcomed back defenders Zoe Brown and Emma Webb, who made her first appearance since round eight.
Alongside Weier’s return, Trentham had an equally impactful defensive inclusion with game-changing goal keeper Jessica Walker back in the side after missing the Saints’ 50-goal defeat to Natte Bealiba the week prior.
Ebony Clark and Ruby Jeffreys were also called up for the Saints, who quickly gained control with Walker and Weier making their presence felt on opposite ends.
While Maldon’s midcourt helped shooters Sophie Zammit and Alannah Furmston get off to a solid scoring start, a 17-goal opening term bolted the Saints to a seven-goal lead.
That quarter time margin quickly grew in the second term as Trentham’s attack, which had been limited to 31.25 goals during their previous four games, went on an unstoppable run.
While Webb, Heidi Brookes and Eva Gross fought desperately to limit Weier’s scoring chances, former premiership player Sharna Ford was providing the Saints a deadly one-two combo as she recaptured her stellar early-season form under the net.
The half time whistle provided some mercy for the Bombers, who trailed by 19 goals at the main break courtesy of 24 second-quarter goals from Weier and Ford.
With Clark and Stevie Courtney performing excellently alongside the ever-present Walker, the Saints defence had their time to shine early in the second half, limiting Zammit and Furmston to six goals throughout the third quarter.
As Weier and Ford continued to find the net at a rampant rate, Trentham’s lead expanded to 33 goals by three-quarter time.
With just 15 minutes remaining in their season, Maldon threw caution to the wind in the final quarter, resulting in their best term for the afternoon.
Even as stalwart centre Charlotte Harrison shifted into goal defence, Claire Kelly and Rory Baker were carving through the midcourt for the Bombers, helping Furmston and Zammit finish with 23 and 20 goals respectively after a 15-goal final quarter.
It was an exciting end to a tough campaign for the rebuilding Bombers, but it was Trentham’s day to avenge years of near misses and return to finals netball.
Saints captain Ford looks to be sharpening her shooting touch for the pointy end of the season, ending Saturday’s triumph with 23 goals at an 85 percent conversion rate alongside Weier’s season-high 61 goals.