Twelve goals.
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After 14 matches, 840 minutes of court-time and countless shots at the net across the Orange Netball Association's Toyota Cup season, 12 goals was all that could split Life Studio and Orange City Craig Harvey Mechanical at the top of the ladder.
Life Studio claimed the chocolates in one of the tightest tussles at the top in recent memory to claim the minor premiership, with both sides finishing on 12 wins.
They've been outstanding all year, I'm not sure how we'll go against them.
- Cindy Gilchrist
The reigning premiers scored 10 points less and conceded two points more than the Studio outfit, with the latter's eight-point win over Hawks Royals enough to hold off a fast-finishing City side, who defeated Life Studio Sportspower 63-36 in the final round of competition on Saturday.
However, City coach Cindy Gilchrist said Life Studio deserved the top spot.
"They're the benchmark," she said.
"They've been outstanding all year, I'm not sure how we'll go against them."
The two sides will clash for the third time this season on Saturday for a spot in the grand final, and with the ledger all square from their two starts Gilchrist hasn't got a clue who'll come out on top.
"Both times we played them either side has had players out injured ... I'm not sure how we'll go in a final," Gilchrist said.
The side wasn't at full strength this week despite their big win, but Gilchrist said Sportspower were a really good young side and would challenge in a year or two.
However this time City will be at full strength, with the side welcoming back defender Katie Matthews and shooter Kaitlyn Eslick, with the former away for several weeks and the latter recovering from a knee injury and missing the past three starts for City.
However, Gilchrist said she wasn't sure how that would affect the make-up of the side and if changing the side around in week one of finals could upset the team balance.
In the other games, Orange Physiotherapy Vipers recorded a massive 71-34 win over Orange City Epiroc, while OHS Hornets defeated Life Studio Mid West Eyes 43-38.
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