Match reviews from Greensborough 1 vs Fitzroy Stars 1 and Bundoora 1 vs North Heidelberg 1 in Round 12 of Section 1 netball.
Section 1 Round 12 – Greensborough 1 vs Fitzroy Stars 1
Fitzroy Stars remain in second spot on the Section 1 netball ladder and improved their chances of taking a double chance into the final with a 20-goal win over Greensborough.
The Stars made a great start and led by 16 goals at half time, before going on to win 60-40 at RMIT University in Round 12 action.
After being provided plenty of early opportunities, Fitzroy Stars goal shooter Natasha Atkinson-Brown held space at the ring to take long passes over her defender’s head and helped her side race to a six-goal lead.
Greensborough’s shooters struggled to find their range early but started to gain more confidence later in the quarter to begin to make some progress on the scoreboard.
Using their defenders for the centre pass gave the Stars more room to break away from the tight defence of Greensborough.
Working fast down the court, Stars took a 17-8 lead into quarter time.
Greensborough was on the back foot on the scoreboard entering the second quarter but made quick moves into the ring to start the term.
The Stars began to give the ball away, as lobs towards Atkinson-Brown began to be intercepted by Greensborough’s defenders Stephanie Calabrese and Adele Cosma.
But the Stars shooters ensured their side kept a scoreboard advantage by making the most of every shot to they took.
They then took full advantage once their side began to get back on top through the mid-court, with Atkinson-Brown using her height advantage under the ring.
The Stars broke the game open during the latter stages of the second half to take a 16-goal lead into half time.
Greensborough struggled into the third term, with several shots missed. When the Boro did secure their first goal, Fitzroy Stars goal attack Rhiannon Ezard immediately converted at the other end.
The Stars moved play fast down the court, but the work put in by Greensborough’s defence ensure the margin didn’t blow out to far.
The Boro worked hard to steal possession in defence and through the midcourt, but stars defenders Brigitte Linares and Jessica Bamblett did well to block their shooters at the post.
Ahead by 21 at the final break, Fitzroy kept the pressure on Greensborough until the final buzzer to secure their eighth win of the season.
The win keeps the Stars a win and percentage clear of third-placed Diamond Creek 2 with three rounds remaining.
Final score: Fitzroy Stars 1 (60) def Greensborough 1 (40)
Section 1 Round 12 – Bundoora 1 vs North Heidelberg 1
North Heidelberg secured its largest win of the season to stay in the Section 1 netball finals race.
The Bulldogs proved too good for Bundoora in their Round 12 clash at RMIT University, claiming a 61-42 victory.
North Heidelberg’s attack came out firing in the opening quarter and put their side three goals ahead in quick time.
Bundoora was able to respond, with goal attack Emily Williams moving around the ring quickly and squeezing passed her defenders to get into good spots under the post.
The Bulls capitalised on several passing errors from their opponents to level the scores.
North Heidelberg centre Olivia Ellis settled her side’s movement after they had made errors by rushing into the circle.
The Bulldogs soon began to get back on top and showed great cohesion around the court, which helped them push out to a six-goal lead at the end of the first quarter.
Bundoora started the second term with tight defence, which forced North Heidelberg’s shooters to retreat with the ball in the hope of finding additional support.
However, the Bulldogs persevered and were able to stretch their lead out to 11 goals – with their shooters able to take several rebounds on missed shots and then converting second time around.
Bundoora wing defence Maighan Corps made great position down the court and managed to work hard to collect the second and third pass.
Despite Bundoora’s best efforts, many attempts into the shooting circle were turned over by North Heidelberg’s strong defence.
The Bulldogs led by 18 goals at half time and looked to have the game safely in their keeping.
North Heidelberg goal defence Amanda Rothwell-Hiscock came through on the centre pass for an intercept, with her team going forward to secure the first goal of the third term.
North timed their movements on centre passes to break away from Bundoora defenders, giving themselves free players each time.
Keeping on top of every dropped pass or missed shot, North moved the ball cleanly down the court to take their advantage beyond 20 goals.
Despite the result looking confirmed, Bundoora worked hard to keep the game competitive and managed to reduce the deficit to 19 at three quarter time.
The Bulls’ effort again didn’t wane in the final term, which ensured North Heidelberg didn’t blow the lead out even further.
Bundoora made some great plays down the court in the fourth term, but North Heidelberg defenders Jessica Dao and Tessa Willett produced some fantastic defensive acts which thwarted many scoring opportunities.
In the end, North Heidelberg’s dominant first half ensured they had need to worry in the closing stages.
Final score: North Heidelberg 1 (61) def Bundoora 1 (42)
