Match reviews from Heidelberg 1 vs Bundoora 1 and Fitzroy Stars 1 vs Diamond Creek 2 in Round 13 of Section 1 netball.
Section 1 Round 13 – Heidelberg 1 vs Bundoora 1
Bundoora scored an upset win over Heidelberg in a one-goal thriller in Round 13 action of Section 1 netball.
The 57-56 result at RMIT University saw the Tigers drop to fifth spot on the ladder with just two rounds remaining in the home and away season.
A close-knit opening quarter set the script for the game, with just two goals separating the sides at the first break.
Bundoora started slightly better and lead by three goals, before Heidelberg settled into its rhythm and cut into the deficit. However, the Bulls finished the quarter in better touch to lead 16-14 at quarter time.
The two sides went goal for goal for much of the second quarter in a see-sawing battle, before Heidelberg took a great intercept at the goal circle and claimed the lead.
The Tigers were composed once they hit the front and eventually took a three-goal advantage by the end of the half.
Bundoora started the third term with consecutive goals and was then awarded the ball from a contact call on Heidelberg goal keeper Akanisi Seeto.
Bundoora took a more aggressive style on the court during the second half as they attacked the ball with great vigour.
Their shooters Emily Duggan and Nellie Wilson shot with confidence and helped the Bulls reclaim the lead early in the quarter.
Heidelberg shooters Chloe Meulenmeesters and Lauren Spinks found the going harder at the other end, which gave Bundoora’s defenders chances to claim back possession from missed shots.
But as the quarter ticked on Heidelberg’s again found its range, helping the Tigers stay right in the contest.
Bundoora goal shooter Duggan put in one last long shot in the dying seconds, helping the Bulls take the lead by one at the final break.
The close contest continued early in the last quarter, before Bundoora pulled in a fumbled play from Heidelberg to push ahead by two.
However, Heidelberg refused to give in and a great intercept by wing defence Leah Keating helped her side surge forward and tie the game.
The Bulls managed to sneak ahead and led by one goal in the last minute and with the centre pass. The Bulls worked the ball around and managed to retain possession going forward, before converting to double their lead.
Heidelberg managed to convert on its final surge forward, but it wasn’t enough as Bundoora held on to win a great game by the smallest possible margin.
Final score: Bundoora 1 (57) def Heidelberg 1 (56)
Section 1 Round 13 – Fitzroy Stars vs Diamond Creek 2
Fitzroy Stars moved one step closer to securing a double chance in the Section 1 netball finals after defeating Diamond Creek 2 convincingly in Round 13 action.
In a clash between the competition’s second and third-placed teams, it was the Stars who were the superior side in a 63-44 victory at RMIT University.
The win moved the Stars two wins and percentage clear of the Creekers and they are now in the box seat to secure a top-two finish with just two rounds remaining.
Not much stood between the sides during the first quarter. Strong defence saw a lot of intercepts from both ends early in the match.
Fitzroy Stars goal shooter Natasha Atkinson-Brown proved to be the liveliest shooter in the attacking third for either side and score the majority of the Stars goals in the opening quarter.
Diamond Creek applied more defensive pressure as the quarter progressed, but the Stars came through in the last seconds with a long lob to Atkinson-Brown, who stood in perfect position at the ring for the goal.
Diamond Creek opened the second quarter on a better note and converted the first goal.
The Stars pressure through the midcourt forced Diamond Creek to work extra hard to move the ball into their shooting circle. Once the Creekers got the ball forward, they were met with the strong defence of Jessica Bamblett and Kayla Mallett.
Still Diamond Creek persevered and managed to chip into their deficit to trail the Stars by just one goal.
The tight scoreline saw the pressure amplify and resulted in a few body contacts being called against each sides’ defensive ends.
Fitzroy managed to get on a scoring streak late in the quarter and blew the margin out to eight goals at the half time interval.
In one particular play, the Stars shooters worked well between each other to keep the ball in play as they tapped back and forth before sealing the play with a goal.
Fitzroy’s hot form continued into the third quarter, where they continued to stretch their margin.
Atkinson-Brown scored 15 during the term to help her side move out to a 14-goal advantage by three-quarter time.
Diamond Creek’s effort never waned despite the margin stretching beyond 20 goals during the last term.
However, the Stars’ class shined through on the night and they finished with a 19-goal win as they confirmed themselves as a genuine contender in this year’s premiership race.
Final score: Fitzroy Stars (63) def Dimond Creek (44)
