Heat 8 remain on top of the Section 8 ladder in the 2022-23 NFNL senior summer netball competition, after claiming a five-goal victory over Watsonia 2 at La Trobe Sports Stadium.
After trailing at quarter time, Heat produced an impressive 11-goal second term, maintaining the gap throughout the remainder of the match to secure a 27-22 triumph.
Heat’s Mia D’Arcangelo produced 19 of her sides 27 majors, her highest scoring performance since grading, while Amelie Cassar also impressed around the court, creating quick transitions between defence and attack.
The Saints’ Katherine Reid continued her brilliant scoring season, scoring 14 goals for her side, while Teegan Doubleday (five) and Caitlyn Arena (three) also made contributions to the scoreboard.
In a highly anticipated first vs second match, Heat were able to control the tempo for most of the first term, but it would be Watsonia who would make their opportunities count, holding a one-goal advantage at the first change.
Heat would then turn the pressure up in the second with a brilliant 11 goal quarter. D’Arcangelo was superb in the circle, with her good positioning to receive the ball and her speed to get in front of the baseline resulting in her scoring all but one of her side’s majors for the term.
Watsonia did stay with their opponents at times throughout the quarter, with Saints wing attack Emily Ross doing well on circle edge to find her shooters in good positions.
Heat took a four-goal lead heading into half time, but Watsonia turned things around in a tightly contested third quarter.
The Saints only conceded three goals for the quarter thanks to defensive duo Catherine Thwaites and Mae Yong applying some strong pressure towards their attacking opponents.
Watsonia won the quarter and trailed by only two goals as both sides approached the final term.
Heat started the quarter strongly, scoring the first two goals and building momentum in attack.
Watsonia centre Emily Ross directed the flow in the midcourt, whilst Catherine Thwaites came out with some strong intercepts to try and halt Heat’s quick start.
But as she did in the second, D’Arcangelo led the way in the final quarter for Heat, scoring seven of her side’s nine fourth term majors to ensure there would be no comeback for the Saints.
Heat finished the game as five-goal winners, claiming their fifth victory of the competition.
