Western Roar battled home with a one-goal victory in their fixture against Peel Lightning in Round 12 of the Gold Industry Group West Australian Netball League Opens match.
Despite Peel Lightning’s comeback, taking away Roar’s substantial lead minutes into the fourth quarter, Roar was able to defend their position on the scoreboard winning 49-48.
With a quick start, early goals were shot from both sides from the beginning of the match. With GK Marlee Hedley (Matou), Peel showed excellent work defensively, making the most of every rebound opportunity, taking the ball out of Roar’s possession and straight back down towards their shooters.
Despite this strong defensive strategy, Roar were polished around the goal circle, with stand-out GA Maddison Schultz and WA Isabella McLernon performing brilliant teamwork. McLernon made strong passes which Schultz was able to convert into goals and Roar finished the first quarter with a five-point lead.
Although Peel had a general height advantage on Roar, Roar’s speed and consistency throughout the game kept them in front. Peel turned the pressure on in the second quarter, but this wasn’t enough to phase Schultz as she continued to execute fantastic shooting with several long-range goals.
Entering the third quarter with a four-goal lead, Roar came in with confidence, with their shooter Putt securing the first goal. However, Lighting made a rapid comeback, with strong defence from GK Nicole Lendich.
Putting pressure back on the scoreboard for this quarter, Peel was able to draw the game to a margin of two with six minutes still left on the clock. As a result of GA Kate Duncan’s excellent shooting and leads, Peel made a remarkable comeback, evening the score twice throughout this quarter. In a battle between third and eighth on the ladder, this comeback was outstanding from Peel.
Starting the final quarter positively, Peel used their first centre pass to shoot a goal straight away. Five-minutes in, Peel had taken the lead over Roar, despite Roar winning the first three quarters.
With two defenders on her in a second, Roar’s GS Sophia Lamers did not get a chance to put her goal in. However, with Schultz back in GA for Roar, it was her experience and stamina that would still remain a convincing challenge for Peel. Quick to get in front of her opposition, Schultz created the perfect opportunity for her GS counterpart Lamers to score.
With a very narrow margin, Roar’s excellent communication within their team on court throughout the game and resilience was enough to claim the win over Peel Lightning 49-48.
ROUND 12 SCOREBOARD
Open
Western Roar defeated Peel Lightning 49-48
ECU Souwest Jets defeated Rangers 50-47
West Coast Warriors defeated East Freo Sharks 40-34
Curtin Hamersley Comets defeated Southside Demons 48-46
Men
Western Roar defeated West Coast Warriors 58-48
Curtin Hamersley Comets defeated Southside Demons 55-36
20U
East Freo Sharks defeated West Coast Warriors 48-35
Rangers defeated ECU Souwest Jets 74-32
Peel Lightning defeated Western Roar 43-37
Southside Demons defeated Curtin Hamersley Comets 64-49
