West Coast Warriors recorded their fifth consecutive win with a 51-32 victory against East Freo Sharks on Friday night in Round 7 of the Gold Industry Group West Australian Netball League.
Sharks started with tenacity at the sound of the opening whistle and applied early pressure to Warriors. Sharks’ efforts were rewarded as they left the first quarter leading by four goals.
Warriors went into the second quarter with play to tighten the margin on the scoreboard as wing attack, Numi Tupaea, made crucial intercepts in midcourt to turn the game around to favour her side, which left both teams going goal for goal with six minutes remaining.
Sharks became unsettled as theyturned the ball over with passing errors. The end of the first half was reclaimed by Warriors as they found a way to rise up and take the lead by one goal at the whistle before half time.
Warriors played their game in the second half. Goal defender, Caitlyn Brown, displayed an impressive ability to read the play, proved by her intercepts and an eye for positioning.
Sharks’ didn’t give up the fight as they doubled up defensively in efforts to stop Warriors in their tracks, however, it just wasn’t enough. The absence of centre court player, Courtney Kruta, was clearly felt.
Warriors’ couldn’t stop scoring as GS, Hana Stokes, had all eyes on the goal, scoring 22 from her 26 attempts.
West Coast Warriors coach Lorraine Ward said she was happy with this win.
“It wasn’t gelling as well as we would’ve liked, it was really scrappy in the first quarter. I thought we made some good changes and I thought they did really well like young Kelly Baker changed up in the middle... we found the right mix eventually and it just worked,” she said.
Ward told her team to step it up a gear during halftime.
“They weren’t playing the Warrior style as much as what we normally demand of each other. Sharks is a very good team and we knew we would have to be on our best, which took us a little while to get there, but we got there.”
Ward said they were aware they still had 15 minutes left and Sharks is a team that’s very capable of a comeback.
“Hana Stokes was really good when she came on, really confident on the shot they’re great defenders and they’re really strong so she did a really great job. Numi Tupaea was amazing at WA – probably Numi over the four quarters was the best player for me.
“We’re still working on the consistency. I did say to them this game that we probably were the most consistent even though the first quarter was scrappy we maintained our intensity for longer throughout this game. We did have a dip in the second quarter but we’re looking for more consistency and still looking at what combinations work and what we can play with.”
West Coast Warriors will face Curtin Hamersley Comets in a rescheduled game of round 1 on Friday 18 June.
ROUND 7 SCOREBOARD
Open
Warriors 51 defeated Sharks 32
Comets 47 defeated Demons 44
Jets 54 defeated Lightning 44
Rangers 53 defeated Roar 40
Men
Comets 57 defeated Warriors 35
Roar 63 defeated Demons 32
20U
Rangers 57 defeated Roar 56
Sharks 61 defeated Warriors 42
Demons 49 defeated Comets 37
Lightning 54 defeated Jets 30
