NORTHCOTE PARK’S unbeaten run continued in Section 2 of the Northern Netball League (NNL), following a solid 14-goal win over Bundoora Comets 2.
The ladder-leader secured their 12th win in succession with the 34-20 result over the Comets at RMIT Bundoora in Round 13.
It took a while for the first goal to make it onto the scoreboard, with Bundoora goal attack Nellie Wilson finally scoring to break the dead lock.
As it so often goes, once one goal was on the board the rest began to flow.
But they flowed for Northcote Park who took advantage of Bundoora’s poor passes and held ball calls.
The Comets still made efforts to gain intercepts, however often a touch on the ball could not be hung on to in order to create a turnover.
Possession was generally controlled by Northcote Park, who scored five of the first six of the second quarter goals to help it forge a seven-goal lead at half time.
Long passes were costly for Bundoora with off target balls resulting in throw ins for Northcote Park, who was more succinct in getting the ball down to its shooters.
Late in the third quarter turnover attempts began to stick for the Comets and more accurate shooting helped them string four goals together.
But theses goals never really threatened the final outcome as top placed Northcote Park always had a reply.
Although not as tall as some of their counterparts, Northcote Park shooters Sarah and Ashlee Vaughan were able to create space in the circle with accurate shooting from the second quarter onwards helping in their team’s 14-goal win.
In other Section 2 results, Watsonia moved into fourth place on the ladder with an 11-goal win over South Morang 2, reversing the result from the when the teams met earlier in the season.
The two sides are likely to fight out the battle for the last spot in the finals series, with top three sides – Northcote Park 1, Greensborough 2 and Bundoora Comets 2 – all looking secure in their places at the top end of the ladder.
Second-placed Greensborough 2 proved far too good for bottom-placed Diamond Creek 2, winning by 30 goals in the 45-15 result.
Seventh-placed Lalor 1 had the bye in Round 13.
Final score: Northcote Park 1 (34) def Bundoora Comets 2 (20)
