Lalor 1 claimed their first win of the 2023-24 NFNL senior summer netball season with a 24-goal triumph over Heidelberg West 1 at Nets Stadium.
The Hawks fought gallantly despite having just six players on the court for the majority of the game, however the Bloods’ 13-2 opening term set the game up in their favour, going on to finish 31-7 victors.
In fact, Heidelberg West would have just five players on the court throughout a period of the first term, allowing Lalor to pounce with the first 11 goals of the match.
It wasn’t until Victoria Sotiropoulos entered the match for the Hawks, becoming their sixth player, where the game pace changed drastically. Her introduction added extra flair to the attack end as she created easier paths for the ball to enter her side’s shooting circle.
While it allowed Heidelberg West to hit the scoreboard with two late goals, Lalor were still in control by the end of the first quarter with an 11-goal advantage.
The Bloods’ pressure in defence was a highlight. The combination of Emma Hyatt and Danielle Smith caused headaches all through the court, with their ability to gain multiple intercepts ensuring the Bloods would always keep the ball moving forward.
The duo’s efforts not only caused its opposition to commit turnovers, but they also saw the Bloods convert on their opportunities at the other end, with Keely Farrow (11 goals) and Cara Jarrie (10) making the hard work pay off by constantly finding the goals.
Heidelberg West’s Erin Evans did well to match Lalor’s pressure through her own game. Whether it was at goal keeper or goal defence, she had great closing speed and ran through the line of the ball, ensuring each shot on goal from the Bloods was made difficult.
But even with her efforts, the Hawks were unable to find the net in the second term whereas the Bloods scored eight of their own to extend the margin.
Spirits were still high in the Heidelberg West camp throughout the second half despite facing a heavy deficit, as they rallied to produce some momentum.
The ball bounced back and forth throughout the third term, with another five goals from Lalor taking their lead out to 24 ahead of the final term.
The Hawks were keen to play the game out, with some usually risky cross court plays paying off, as they not only opened the match up, but also managed to get the scoreboard ticking over again.
They would go on to match Lalor’s five-goal quarter with five of their own, ensuring the 24-goal margin stood by full time, signaling the Bloods first win of the 2023-24 campaign.
