Undefeated in the regular season AYC Friends Lexus Arrows will face Myrtle Ridge Northern Hawks for the right to not only compete in the ANZ STATE LEAGUE Grand Final but also the advantage to host it in a fortnight’s time.
Arrows will be strong favourites due to their undefeated season and sitting five wins clear atop the table but Hawks will have the advantage of the games being played at their home court the Silverdome. Last time the sides met in Round 19 less than two weeks ago the margin between the sides was just six goals with Arrows defeating Hawks 54-48. In that game as it has been much of the season the difference between the sides was the dominance of Sophie Gunn who shot 42 from 48 at 88%, just under her 45 goal a game average for the home and away season. The Hawks defensive pairing of player/coach Steffi Grenda and Zoe Gough will have their work cut out stopping Gunn and fellow Arrows shooter Kate Costelloe. Hawks shooter Ashlea Mawer has proved to be her side’s greatest offense asset averaging 35 goals a game second only to Gunn.
In the weekend’s other Open semi-final third placed Bellamy’s Organic Cavaliers will face a Cripps Waratah team who only secured their place in the finals on the back of a sensational 51 point win against Kingston and other results going their way. Last year’s premiers Cripps will however find this week’s assignment much harder having lost to Cavaliers in all three meetings this year by an average of 15 goals. Cripps will be heavily reliant on captain and star mid court player Sophia Saunders to provide opportunities for the dual threats of Kate Archer and Amiela Fazackerley who have been in excellent form of late culminating in a 43 goal apiece effort last week against Kingston. Cavaliers however are strong across the court and were only one win away from securing a double chance with a 15 and 6 win/loss record for 2015.
Cripps and Cavaliers will also contest the 19 and under semi-final for a place in the Grand Final ensuring a big day for both the clubs. Cripps finished atop the table after an impressive season only dropping one game. In their last meeting in round 19 Cripps were comfortable 15 point victors so Cavaliers will need a dramatic turn around in fortune. Cripps’ success has come on the back of a great season from defender Alexander Vinen and shooter Hollie Moore who averages 21 goals a game at just over 75%. Cavaliers will rely on the drive of Lydia Coote and the combination of Deanna Wadley and Jordyn Becker in goal in order to match the top side.
Third placed Northern Hawks face a Kingston team who like Cripps only secured their place in the finals after the final weekend courtesy of a one point victory by their finals opponent Hawks against fifth placed Karana securing fourth spot for Kingston by one point. Kingston will be hopeful that Sarah Scott will be able to add to her impressive home and away season form through mid-court whilst Hawks will be able to call on league leading goal scorer Jamie Easther with her tally of 527 goals at 70% is a competition high by over 100 goals.
All matches will be played at the Silverdome at the following times.
19/U 2nd semi-final:
1:30pm Cripps Waratah vs. Bellamy’s Organic Cavaliers
(Winning team goes into the Grand Final. Losing team plays the winner of the 1st Semi-final).
Opens 1st semi-final:
3:15pm Bellamy’s Organic Cavaliers vs. Cripps Waratah
(Winning team will play the losing team of the 2nd semi-final)
19/U 1st semi-final:
5:00pm Northern Hawks vs. Glendon Kingston Blues
(Winning team will play the losing team of the 2nd semi-final)
Opens 2nd semi-final:
6:45pm Lexus Arrows vs. Northern Hawks
(Winning team goes into the Grand Final. Losing team plays the winner of the 1st Semi-final).
For the latest result, match details and in depth statistics please view http://my.netball.com.au/go.aspx?&entityid=38951&id=DRAW
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