Arawang's Kim Rice and Canberra's Jasmine Keene with the ACT State League netball trophy. The two sides are on course to meet in the decider for a third straight season.

Arawang's Kim Rice and Canberra's Jasmine Keene with the ACT State League netball trophy. The two sides are on course to meet in the decider for a third straight season. Photo: Graham Tidy



CANBERRA has one hand on a third consecutive ACT State League netball minor premiership after inflicting Arawang's first defeat of the season.


Canberra leapfrogged Arawang into first position with a 54-45 win on Friday night.


With just one round remaining in the regular season, Canberra and Arawang have locked up the top two spots and will meet again in the major semi-final.


''I expect them to come out fired up,'' Canberra coach Natalee Withers said of Arawang. ''I definitely think we'll come up against them once more and maybe twice more with the grand final.''


Canberra and Arawang have fought out the two previous grand finals with Canberra coming out on top both times.


''Five years ago the club wasn't as competitive. We had a bit of a five-year plan and it would just mean that it has come to fruition and would make us really proud.''


A win over third-placed Belconnen next week would secure the minor premiership for Canberra and Withers said it would cap off a great regular season leading into the finals.


''That's a bit of icing on the cake if it happens. We'll just continue to keep playing consistent netball.''