Tigers hold on to maintain unbeaten start


Published on Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Author : Elly Kirlis

Heidelberg 1 held off a spirited Heat 1 fightback in the second half to claim a two-goal triumph and make it two wins from the opening two grading games in the 2022-23 NFNL summer netball campaign.

After establishing a five-goal half time lead at La Trobe Sports Stadium, Heat produced an impressive nine goal to four third term to level proceedings heading into the final term before the Tigers edged out their opponents in an intense final quarter to secure a 23-21 victory.

Heidelberg’s win makes them one of 16 sides to have won both of their 2022-23 summer netball grading games.

Stephanie Tucker scored 11 of her side’s 23 majors with Ellen Close (6) and Emily Williams (6) also contributing for the Tigers.

Following a 21-goal performance in Heat’s win over Bundoora 2 last week, Laura Murfett again proved to be the main avenue to goal for her side, scoring 14 majors in just three quarters.

Heidelberg opened up a three-goal lead in a tightly contested first quarter with Tucker and Williams scoring three goals each. The Tigers extended the margin by half time with a five-goal term from Tucker leading her side to a five-goal advantage.

Heat then fired back in the third quarter to put the Tigers on the backfoot. They produced an excellent nine goal term to level proceedings at three quarter time. Murfett fired seven of her side’s nine majors while the defensive efforts of Alana Keith and Courtney Patterson kept Heidelberg to four goals, their lowest scoring quarter of the match.

An intense final quarter followed with both teams stepping up on defence and lifting the pace of the game with their ball movement.

Heat followed on from their third term efforts to keep up with their opponents in the fourth quarter, but Heidelberg’s midcourt was too strong in transition, allowing the Tigers to find two extra goals and claim a hard-fought victory.

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