The Western Roar have held on against a charging Rangers outfit to claim a 45-42 victory in Round 11 of the Gold Industry Group West Australian Netball League.
While the Roar played a consistent game throughout with simple, quick passes to their shooters; the match was a tale of two halves for the Rangers.
Despite both sides displaying strong intercept games, the Rangers looked sluggish at times around the court, with the Roar wings often allowed to get free for quick transition play.
A 12-8 quarter time deficit quickly got worse for the Rangers in the second quarter as the Roar attacked harder and took more chances to reach a 20-11 lead halfway through the quarter and threaten a blowout.
Three interchanges late in the second gave the Rangers a much-needed boost as late goals took them into the main break at 25-15 down.
Roar goal shooter Maddison Schultz and goal attack Tess Gee-Cransberg, worked in tandem flawlessly in the first half, would’ve felt they were facing a different team after half-time as the Rangers defence finally kicked into gear.
The match came alive and overhead passes from Rangers shooter Georgia Pitt to goal attack Rylee Davis gave their team hope as the deficit was reduced further to 34-29 at three quarter time.
But despite an illegal pass over the middle third resulting in a goal for the Rangers to bring them within three goals, the Roar were able to steady in the fourth and hold off for their sixth win of the season.
The Rangers will face the ladder-leading Warriors on September 4 at the Gold Netball Centre at 8.30pm, a must-win game if they wish to stay in touch with the Top 4.
Meanwhile, Western Roar will aim to put distance between themselves and finals hopeful Peel Lightning, who they will meet at the same time on Court 3.
