17°C | Wednesday September 11, 2024 
21 August 2023
By James Mullan
The silverware is being polished as we get to the business end of the winter season. Norths Bears Women’s basketball took on the nation as the Shoremen looked to lock in a grand final spot. Meanwhile, the Bombers and Bears rugby league have their sights set on strong finals runs. Could this be the greatest season we have seen in North Shore sports?
Norths Basketball: Bears shine in NBL1 National Championships
After winning the NBL1 East Championship, Norths’ women spent the weekend in Western Australia, attempting to win the National title. This competition brings the winners of every NBL1 conference – North, South, East, West and Central – as well the champions from last season together to crown the top team in Australia.
First up they faced NBL1 North champions Northside Wizards on Friday evening. It was a Bears clinic with four players scoring 15+ points and the squad combining for 20 threes, all leading to a 104-81 win.
On Saturday, it was simple; win and you’re through to the National Grand Final. In front of them was NBL1 South’s Norwood Flames, who came out firing with Alex Wilson scoring an incredible 47 points. But Norths, led by Maddie O’Hehir’s 32 points, a strong bench performance and suffocating defence, were able to pull ahead for a 110-79.
For the first time in the clubs history and only in their second year in NBL1 competition, Norths were through to the National Grand Final. This achievement can’t be understated with only one player on payroll, no current WNBL players and competing in the newest conference.
They faced the undefeated NBL1 South champions Bendigo Braves. The Braves have historically been one of the strongest clubs in semi-professional basketball, boasting several championships and a roster full of WNBL talent. The first quarter was neck in neck with only 1 point separating the teams. Early on, it was clear Bendigo were led by star centre Megan McKay, who ended the game with 46 points and 15 rebounds. Despite her massive performance, things were tight at halftime until the Braves caught fire in the third quarter, blowing Norths out 36-16. By the fourth, it was out of the Bears reach despite another stellar performance from Maddie O’Hehir with 23 points.
The Braves won 114-87 to become the NBL1 2023 National Champions. A slight consolation, Norths’ Joelene Anderson was named in the team of the tournament. Despite the result, our local club is one of the best women’s programs in the nation and one we should all be proud of with the majority of the team is home grown North Shore talent. This brings us to the end of a highly successful NBL1 season at the Bear Cave. However the season isn’t quite done as many players from this squad will compete again in finals next weekend with the Youth League women’s squad.
Norths Rugby Union: Shoremen through to Shute Shield Grand Final
After taking out the Minor Premiership, the Shoremen are now only one win away from taking out the Shute Shield. Over the weekend there were only four teams left standing, as rugby fans descended on North Sydney Oval for a semi final double header. First up, Randwick booked their place in the Grand Final by beating Eastwood 38-20.
On home soil, Norths were confident they could join Randwick as they faced off against neighbours Manly Marlins. The northern beaches boys had a solid season winning 9 games from 18 to finish 4th on the ladder. Yet only last week they had gone down to Eastwood 54-20 in the first play off round.
Norths always looked in control of the game, booting two early penalty goals before hooker James Margan picked and drove over for the first try of the game for an early 13-0 lead after the conversion. Manly would only manage one try in the match as Norths’ goal kicking and a try to Charlie Jevons-Fellows were more than enough to secure a 23-5 victory. This meant Norths would go one better than last season by advancing through to the Grand Final for the first time since 2017.
The last time Norths and Randwick met, the Shoremen went down 15-27, moreover both sides finished on identical table points. This sets up a classic in the making next week for the Grand Final which will be held at 3:15PM Saturday at Leichhardt Oval.
North Sydney Bears: Slight lapse as squad turns focus to finals
With the Minor Premiership wrapped up, Norths still had two rounds remaining in the regular season. This weekend Penrith visited North Sydney Oval needing a win to have any chance of jumping into the top four.
On a perfect sunny day, Ben Stevanovic opened the scoring when he pounced on a dropped bomb to dive over for a try. Penrith hit back just 10 minutes later but were quickly silenced when Reuben Porter collected a try from a grubber kick to put Norths up 12-4 after the conversion. The game kept going back and forth before halftime as the Panthers crossed again in the 33rd minute only to be cancelled out by a Bears try from Alfred Smally off a cross field kick. At the half it was 18-8 Norths’ way. It wouldn’t stay this way for long as Penrith ran in three unanswered tries to steal the win from the home team 18-26.
Despite the Panthers great performance, the Bears won’t be too disheartened as the results don’t affect their table standing. They will be focussing on keeping players fit and healthy ahead of their finals run. They will play their final regular season game of the season 2:00PM next Sunday against the Canberra Raiders.