WA Make Solid Start to ANL Season

Published On: 2 August 2010

WA won two of three matches in a strong start to the 2010 ANL season in Perth

The Western Australian netball team competing in the 2010 Australian national League enjoyed a positive start to its campaign with two wins from three games over the weekend in Perth.

WA thumped Singapore 65-25 in its first match before dropping a tight encounter with the AIS (50-53). WA bounced back for a comfortable 63-50 win over the Northern Territory to end a positive weekend of competition.

WA started its busy weekend on Friday night and built steadily over the four quarters without really being challenged by a Singapore outfit, competing in only its second ANL championship. WA was able to give all 12 players court time and maintain its lead on the scoreboard. Solid performers for WA included WAIS scholarship holders Sarah East, Sarah Tatam, Tess Cransberg and WA athlete Kyra Neal.

Saturday pitted WA against the Australian Institute of Sport team and from the outset it was clear that the tempo had taken a huge lift from the previous night’s contest. The AIS got a quick jump on WA – who appeared to take some time to adjust to the speed of play.

The AIS established an eight goal lead in the second and third quarters, but the hosts were able to pull it back on both occasions to within three or four points, to set up a grandstand finish. The last quarter saw WA produce a surge of turnovers through some athletic work by WAIS athlete Alicia Janz, to reach within a goal with just three minutes remaining, but the AIS kept their nerve under pressure and ran out three goal victors.

WA faced a physical and scrappy game from the outset against the Northern Territory and couldn’t quite break the shackles of their visitors throughout the contest. WA gave all 12 players the opportunity to compete and gain experience of ANL competition.

The game was played with intensity but at times lacked precision in skill execution and decision making. Better players for WA included the WAIS trio of Alicia Janz, Stacey Northey and Lindal Rohde as the home team captured a 13 goal victory.