Bundoora 1 put together a consistent four quarter performance to produce their first triumph of the 2023-24 NFNL senior summer netball season with a 14-goal win over Fitzroy Stars 1 at La Trobe Sports Stadium.
Following an entertaining draw with Hume 1 to begin to season last week, the Bulls were excellent across all four terms on Friday night, keeping the Stars to no more than five goals in each quarter to prevail 34-20.
Stephanie Tucker led the way inside the shooting circle with 19 goals in the opening three quarters while Lauren Hubbard impressed in wing attack for the victors.
The Stars meanwhile had multiple contributors across the court despite the result not going their way; with Alita Thorpe and Maddison Bayes have an influence on both ends.
Along with Emily Williams in goal attack, Tucker got things going early for Bundoora, putting pressure on the Fitzroy Stars defence.
The duo combined for nine first quarter goals, and while Bayes did her best at the other end with four goals, the Stars would face a five-goal deficit at quarter time.
Bayes would continue to be a focal point for her side in the second quarter, scoring all five goals for the term. She was a strong presence inside the attacking circle and shot at a high volume.
Stars duo Caitlyn McLeod and Alita Thorpe were producing consistent efforts of their own, but it was Bundoora’s midcourt that was ensuring the game was kept in their control, with Ashlee Hansen and Lauren Hubbard continuing to get their hands on the ball and finding good options in attack.
It helped the Bulls take a comfortable seven-goal lead into half time.
Hubbard’s influence in particular continued into the third quarter, as she remained a key figure in opening up multiple options in the attacking third for Bundoora.
A move to wing attack saw Megan Allen be a great link between defence and attack for the Fitzroy Stars, with Shianae Bamblett reaping the rewards as goal shooter, scoring all five of her side’s third quarter goals.
But it wasn’t enough to reduce the margin by three quarter time. as Bundoora led by nine to be in the box seat ahead of the final term.
Whilst the Stars had great patches in the last quarter, it was the Bulls’ consistency that stole the show, with their pressure and quick ball movement seeing them produce another eight-goal term, sealing an impressive 14-goal triumph to open their account in the 2023-24 season.
