SANDY Creek Netball Club faced off against itself on Saturday in the Gawler & District A-grade competition after its B grade side was forced up into the top division by the association.
The Cockatoos had introduced a reserves team for the first time this season, which had carved up its competition and had established itself as a rampaging premiership favourite midway through the 2019 winter campaign.
Due to its dominance, the G&DNA promoted the Cockatoos’ B-grade side into the A grade to become Sandy Creek Green – a decision which was met by initial bemusement from the club.
However, coach Scott Hill said the Cockatoos have since made peace with the move.
“The club has taken a different position now after consulting with other netball clubs within the association that it was the right decision for the better of the association,” he said.
“They understand the standard of the comp is not what it has been, and we’ve accepted the decision.
“We’re going to make the most of the opportunity to have two clubs in the A grade.
“Both sides will represent the club in the Elizabeth Netball Association carnival in late June, we’ll be in separate grades there.”
In the lead-up to the Cockatoos’ match, Hill said there had been plenty of chat among the two sides.
“There’s a lot of banter going on, we’ve got a couple of things on Facebook Messenger,” he said.
“The girls are extremely excited now and very positive about taking on each other.
“The warm-ups will be done together as a club to show unity and strength of the Sandy Creek girls, and then we’ll break into separate groups to take the group.
“They are extremely competitive and it’ll be quite a competition.”
The original Sandy Creek A-grade side proved too strong for the Green side, as it won 62-19.