The top two teams on the ladder went head-to-head in Round 10 of the Gold Industry Group West Australian Netball League Opens last Friday-night, with West Coast Warriors coming from behind to defeat Western Roar.
Although Roar stayed on top during the first half of the game, Warriors put the pressure on and secured a significant victory 50-41.
With the first centre pass, Roar didn’t appear fazed by their top competition, coming straight into the game full-force with key player GA Maddi Schultz asserting her dominance on the court and putting the first goal in.
On the other side of the court, Hana Stokes from Warriors was ready to put up the same fight for her side. From the commencement of the match, each centre pass would lead to a goal by that team. Keeping possession so tight, it was clear why these two teams climbed to the top of the ladder this year.
Warriors made excellent use of the ball deflecting off the pole, catching it and passing it quickly through to Numi Tupaea in WA and then to Stokes in GA for a goal. Around the goal circle, Tupea made brilliant use of space, creating opportunity for her shooters to pass out to her when there was not a clear goal in line.
It was experience against experience in the goal circle, with Warriors GK Stephanie Cooper challengingShultz
Although Warriors GD Caitlyn Brown and WD Natalie Bright were well-polished, their seamless work in the centre third wasn’t quite enough for the first two quarters as Roar’s speed and leads landed them on top.
Strategically, Sophia Lamers in GS and Maddi Schultz proved a fine combination for Roar’s goal circle. Lamers was able to drop back into the goal circle and receive passes from Schultz. Not letting the margin narrow too closely, Roar kept the pressure on with exceptional passes between their shooters and WA Abbey Thomas.
Trailing by two goals, Warriors’ Open Coach Lorraine Ward spoke to her team during half-time and emphasised maintaining structures and converting from turnovers.
“You are never going to blow teams away in the first quarter, you have to chip away and work at it, tighten up and step up defensively,” Ward said.
Ready to turn the game around, Warriors immediately closed the margin down to one goal. They kept the pressure on and moved in to block any of Roar’s attackers, forcing Roar to pass backwards.
Cooper continued challenging Schultz and intercepting her passes. After getting the ball back to Hanna Stokes, Warriors evened the score, reminding Roar of their position at the top of the ladder.
Once they had the confidence of being in front, Warriors rolled with it and kept the confidence and performance up, widening the margin to five to finish the third quarter.
In an attempt to take the game back, Roar came into the final quarter with a goal straight away. However, it seemed GA Hanna Stokes’ skills would not be hindered and despite playing all game, she continued putting the goals in.
Goal after goal, Warriors maintained their lead, leaving Roar with only five minutes to score at least five goals to win. However, with Cooper dominating defensively and getting the ball back to her teammates, Stokes was able to solidify Warrior’s nine-point win 50-41 to head into the semi-finals on top.
Ward said the team still had work to do but was confident.
“That was a good test for us tonight. It is going to be interesting what happens beneath us so we’ll let them fight it out and we’ll go off and do our work,”she said.”
ROUND 10 SCOREBOARD
Open
Rangers Netball Club defeated Southside Demons 59-56
West Coast Warriors defeated Western Roar 50-41
Curtin Hamersley Comets defeated Peel Lightning 67-52
ECU Souwest Jets defeated East Freo Sharks 51-39
Men
Western Roar defeated Curtin Hamersley Comets 46-29
West Coast Warriors defeated Southside Demons 61-54
20U
Rangers Netball Club defeated Southside Demons 68-55
West Coast Warriors defeated Western Roar 54-52
Curtin Hamersley Comets defeated Peel Lightning 45-38
East Freo Sharks defeated ECU Souwest Jets 50-36
