East Freo Sharks claimed triumph in a last minute 41-40 win over Curtin Hamersley Comets in the Indigenous Round of The Gold Industry Group West Australian Netball League on Sunday 30 May.
Sharks had first hands to the ball with Shakayla Ugle scoring the opening goal. Comets responded with fierce play in centre court and hard defensive work to get rebounds in the circle.
Comets held a 7-1 lead but failed to maintain it as Sharks began to play defensively to tighten the margin. With 28 seconds left on the clock in the opening quarter, Shakayla Ugle took an unfortunate fall and was escorted off the court for the remainder of the game.
Comets went into the second quarter with a shifted mentality and strategies were implemented by trying their best to shut down Sharks’ playmaker, Ella Sigley, on the wing. It was a quarter of turnovers, rebounds and intercepts which left Sharks chasing a nine-goal deficit.
The third quarter saw the beginning of the Sharks’ comeback. Sharks’ defenders, Molly Warne and Shannon Eagland, started early with the rebounds; the ball moved seamlessly through centre court into the hands of the Abbey Hicks who made the most of Molly Warne’s turnover with a goal.
Comets found themselves with a defender between them goal side for the majority of the third quarter. Sharks attack became controlled with Ella Sigley doing her part to guide the play as Sharks kept their eyes on tightening the margin heading into the final quarter chasing only 6 goals.
Comets were fighting to stay in the game as the whistle blew to commence the final quarter. Sharks went on a mission to find space which had a crucial impact on their play as they left Comets behind and created enough room to breathe.
Comets couldn’t find Courtney Kruta as she went unmarked making intercepts and feeding the ball which led to a goal on Sharks’ end. The intensity increased as both teams went goal for goal with only three minutes remaining. Sharks found their chemistry and began to connect as a team whilst Comets were feeling the pressure and lost composure.
With a strong first half and over a five-goal lead in three out of the four quarters, it looked as if Comets would claim the win, only to have Sharks snatch it at the last minute with a hard-fought comeback making it a 41-40 thriller.
In the Indigenous Round on Sunday, West Coast Warriors had a clear 45-39 win over Southside Demons,Western Roar beat Peel Lightning 42-38 and ECU Souwest Jets claimed a 55-43 win against Rangers..
LADDER UPDATE:
OPEN
|
Position
|
Team
|
Points
|
|
1.
|
West Coast Warriors
|
8
|
|
2.
|
East Freo Sharks
|
6
|
|
3.
|
Western Roar
|
4
|
|
4.
|
Curtin Hamersley Comets
|
4
|
|
5.
|
ECU Souwest Jets
|
4
|
|
6.
|
Southside Demons
|
4
|
|
7.
|
Peel Lightning
|
2
|
|
8.
|
Rangers
|
0
|
Men
|
Position
|
Team
|
Points
|
|
1.
|
West Coast Warriors
|
8
|
|
2.
|
Western Roar
|
6
|
|
3.
|
Southside Demons
|
2
|
|
4.
|
Curtin Hamersley Comets
|
0
|
20U
|
Position
|
Team
|
Points
|
|
1.
|
Rangers
|
8
|
|
2.
|
East Freo Sharks
|
6
|
|
3.
|
Western Roar
|
6
|
|
4.
|
Southside Demons
|
5
|
|
5.
|
West Coast Warriors
|
3
|
|
6.
|
Peel Lightning
|
2
|
|
7.
|
Curtin Hamersley Comets
|
0
|
|
8.
|
ECU Souwest Jets
|
0
|
RESULTS OF ROUND 3 - RESCHEDULED - Played Friday 28 May 2021
Open
Demons 43 defeated Rangers 40
Sharks 50 defeated Jets 37
Lightning 44 defeated Comets 38
Warriors 45 defeated Roar 33
Men
Roar 54 defeated Demons 41
Warriors 51 defeated Comets 50
20U
Rangers 51 defeated Demons 40
Lightning 57 defeated Comets 37
Roar 59 defeated Warriors 28
RESULTS OF INDIGENOUS ROUND
Men
Western Roar 46 defeated Comets 34
Warriors 67 defeated Demons 44
20U
Sharks 57 defeated Comets 37
Demons 52 drew Warriors 52
Rangers 63 defeated Jets 44
Roar 41 defeated Lightning 39
