The team had set their sights on making the top-10 at the titles, but exceeded all expectations with a top-five finish.

“It was an incredible effort by the girls, there were plenty of cheers and celebrations when we finished top-five,” captain-coach Jess Stevens said.

“I’ve been involved with the rep teams for the past 15 years and it’s certainly our best result in that time.

“Apart from a couple of lapses in games and a few bounces of the balls we probably could have finished even higher. There was a draw and a couple of games we probably should have won.”

The Kurri Kurri team’s performance was all the more remarkable as their team was only finalised a week before the titles. They won 11 games and had one draw from their 18 games over the long-weekend.

Stevens said Kiona Sunerton, Alanna Harris and Kathy Anderson came into the team and were crucial players in the team’s outstanding performance.

“Kiona was actually my under-15 coach and she was fantastic, I don’t think I would have continued playing rep if it hadn’t been for her. To be in a situation where I was captain-coach and Kiona was playing was incredible,” Stevens said.

It was a family affair for Stevens, with her sisters Erin and Courtney Davis both part of the team and her mother Debbie, the Kurri Kurri Netball Association president on the sidelines.

The team also featured Chantel McCrohen, Dani Messnger, Amy Howard and Jess Apthorpe.

“Jess is just 17 and the baby of the team, she was just terrific over the tournament. She had a heavy fall and knocked her head but just shrugged it off,” Stevens said.

“The support we received was fantastic, on the Sunday members of the junior representative teams and their families came down to cheer us on.”