Netball: Mannas record gritty win over Dolphins in Cheers Netball Super League final

They had lost twice and drawn once to opponents Blaze Dolphins in previous league encounters this year.

But the Mission Mannas delivered when it mattered most, by beating the Dolphins 53-47 in the Cheers Netball Super League final on Saturday afternoon at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall.

Led by captain Nurul Baizura, the Mannas trailed 21-31 at the end of the second quarter. But a tactical change - which involved switching Baizura from centre to a defensive position - proved to be the turning point as they narrowed the 10-point gap to three after the third quarter with the score at 38-41.

After the Mannas equalised at 44-44 six-and-a-half minutes into the last quarter, they snatched the lead and never relinquished it.

"Such a gap seemed quite difficult to close, but then again, we've been down by 15 before in the preliminary rounds against the Sneakers (Stingrays)," explained Baizura. "As captain, I thought, I have to lead now, in not giving up; that we're capable of this and we just need to keep it going, keep it going."

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