Saturday’s match was a competitive contest, but the Magpies proved too strong for the Force, securing the 62-45 victory. They backed up their winning start on Sunday with another win, defeating the Force 56-49.
Tasmanian Magpies Head Coach Kate Upton said the Magpies were rewarded with winning results after a “strong team effort” across the weekend.
“The team displayed great defensive pressure which saw them rewarded with a fair few turnovers and eventually the victories,” Upton told Magpies Netball.
A tight start to the match in game one meant scores were level at 12-12 at quarter time.
Nyah P Allen was a standout for the Force, missing only a single goal for the entire game.
But the Magpies came back fighting in the second quarter, showing great strength throughout the midcourt and the attacking end, which became essential to the team’s win in the final term.
“Sharni Lambden worked well with Mel Bragg. They really delayed and slowed down the ball particularly through the middle third”, Upton said.
Upton also praised the efforts of Tasmanian Magpies captain, Cody Lange.
“She provided great intensity moving through the attacking end and into the ring which was great to see.”
The introduction of Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) players from both teams raised the level of intensity in the second match and brought another element of expertise and experience to the contest.
Collingwood goaler Alice Teague-Neeld joined the Magpies alongside Matilda Garrett, delivering an exciting, first-class performance for fans at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
Adelaide Thunderbirds SSN player Sasha Glasgow also displayed her best skills, starring with an 87% shooting accuracy in the attacking third.
Upton credited her team for being able to reflect on their round one performance and implement the necessary areas of improvement against the Force.
“The team was really consistent this week and made the most of those opportunities to convert. They really applied pressure to bring the ball down the court and feed it into the goalers.”
Former Adelaide Thunderbird and Vic Fury goaler Jane Cook impressed her teammates in her second match as a Magpie, standing tall at 201cm in the ring and delivering 49 out of the team’s 56 goals.
“She provided some fabulous shots and her movement around the ring was amazing.”
Despite a winning weekend for both the SSN and ANL Magpies, Upton said there were still areas her team needed to focus on in preparation for round three.
“We just need to be really balanced in attack, focus on feeding the ball to our attackers in order to limit our errors.”
The Magpies will now look forward to next week’s round 3 clash with the Territory Storm in Melbourne.
ROUND TWO WRAP
GAME 1 – Tasmanian Magpies (62) defeated Southern Force (45)
GAME 2 – Tasmanian Magpies (56) defeated Southern Force (49)
ROUND THREE FIXTURE VS. TERRITORY STORM
GAME 1 – Saturday 19 May, 7pm, Waverley Netball Centre
GAME 2 – Sunday 20 May, 3:30pm, Margaret Court Arena
Author: Magpies Netball
