West Coast Warriors have taken yet another victory with a 44-39 win against Curtin Hamersley Comets on Friday night in the match-up postponed from Round 1 of the Gold Industry Group West Australian Netball League Opens.
Comets got off to a strong start for Friday night’s fixture, with Sloan Burton in GA shooting the first goal for the evening. Lindal Rohde continued this play from Comets’ centre, executing swift ball handling, leading to yet another goal from Comets.
Defensively, both teams were working hard to protect their possession, with Ella Taylor in GD for Comets quick to get the rebounds, and on the other side of the court, Caitlyn Brown in GD keeping the pressure on to regain possession of ball for the Warriors.
Warriors used these opportunities to fight back with speed and it was their smooth teamwork that allowed the passes to head straight down court and result in a goal from their shooting team, Hayley McKee in GA and Hana Stokes in GS. These two brought it back and worked hard to close the margin and even the score 11-11 at quarter time..
The second quarter was just as close as the first, with just one point the difference entering half time. The Warriors turned the heat up, putting two goals straight in to start the second quarter. Warriors’ Hana Stokes in GS maintained her fantastic shooting, and with the help of McKee in GA, Stokes was able to create space from the opposing defenders and take a clear shot.
Sydney Rafferty worked around the goal circle as Centre, getting the ball from GD Ella Taylor, and setting the Comets up to make a comeback, with Burton putting in a couple more goals.
Warriors were strong defensively from the beginning of the third quarter, with Stephanie Cooper in GK, making several smooth intercepts throughout the quarter, resulting in another few great goals by Stokes in GS.
Warriors’ WD, Numi Tupaea, skilfully maintained her position in front of her attacker, jumping high to intercept opposing passes. Comets started to bring it back with speed, but this was not quite enough as the Warriors were determined to continue and widen their lead.
The Warriors’ sharp leads kept lots of space open to pursue their victory. Again, Warriors WD Tupaea worked magic in the centre third and defending third to maintain possession of the ball.
A game highlighted with great sportsmanship and cheering from the sidelines of both teams throughout the match finished with a score of 44-39 to the Warriors.
Warrior’s Opens Coach Lorraine Ward was delighted with the final score.
“I think that they jumped us in the beginning that’s for sure and physically they were intimidating us and we were allowing them to, so we had to take back the game a little bit. We had to go through different combinations to find what was going to work for us tonight.
“I would say we were really inconsistent throughout the game, that’s why we were lucky to come away with a five-goal win. It was a challenge, but we dug in deep and we got through it.”
“We haven’t lost yet but we have been challenged which is great, that’s what we want to happen. We’ve still got a lot of work to do and tonight proves that again.”
ROUND 1 SCOREBOARD
Opens
East Freo Sharks Netball Inc defeated Southside Demons 54-40
Western Roar Netball Club defeated ECU Souwest Jets 51-39
Peel Lightning defeated Rangers Netball Club 57-43
West Coast Warriors Netball Club defeated Curtin Hamersley Comets 44-40
Mens
West Coast Warriors Netball Club tied Western Roar Netball Club 55-55
Curtin Hamersley Comets defeated Southside Demons 51-37
U/20s
East Freo Sharks Netball Inc defeated Southside Demons 55-39
Curtin Hamersley Comets defeated West Coast Warriors Netball Club 49-38
Rangers Netball Club defeated Peel Lightning 53-49
Western Roar Netball Club defeated ECU Souwest Jets 53-34
