Nikki Pettitt looks to make a forward pass for Experience during their semi-final win over Roos. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0582440)
EXPERIENCE and Panthers have booked their place in the first Condor Super League grand final. Both lived up to their billing as favourites in their semi-final, overcoming Roos and Zebras respectively.
In a match that started tentatively, Experience settled first in their encounter, showing that as the veteran stateswomen of local netball they handle pressure well.
Whereas Roos were trying to force the pace and making too many errors, their opponents were making every ball count and, with Jane Fears and Bridget Yabsley on fire in the circle, Roos were made to pay for every mistake.
Great defensive work from Denise Bourgaize and Julie Wright meant that Experience had a healthy 28-13 half-time lead.
They pushed further ahead, thanks largely to some centre-court dominance by Nikki Pettitt, and despite Roos finding more edge in the last quarter through shooters Zola Bourgaize and Kiara De Carteret as well as Kat Daunt in the middle of court, the more consistent Experience progressed.
In the previous semi-final, underdogs Zebras had had nothing to lose and came out to put pressure on Panthers.
They were slick and the passes to their shooters were fast and accurate, allowing Anna Trump and Cath Coutanche to score with ease.
In centre court, Lisa Martin, Kate Cochrane and Kelly Savident were attacking well and defending like demons.
With Panthers finding it hard to stamp their authority on the game, Zebras ended the first quarter 12-8 ahead.
Some choice words from coach Jamie Roussel ensured a different Panthers came out for the second period.
They were more relaxed, their game started to flow and they quickly pulled back the Zebras’ lead as Claire Queripel, Carrie Dodd and Elaine Donaldson worked the openings for shooter Sonia Grant-Yendell, who converted them.
The game then went goal for goal, with both sides making the most of the other’s errors.
Panthers were guilty of being called for footwork on many occasions, something they need to work on. Claire Green was quick to take advantage of those with some quick passes in to the shooters.
At half-time, Panthers led 21-18 and they then started to turn the screw, extending their advantage to 10 by the end of the third quarter.
Zebras were allowed only four more goals in the final period as Panthers ran out convincing 48-28 winners.
‘This game saw the improvement made by both teams,’ said development officer Gill Queripel.
‘Super League has seen many new players come to the fore and we thank Condor for their sponsorship to enable that to happen.’
Panthers’ win meant that Amy Wright had got one over on mother Julie, the Zebras coach.
They now meet head-to-head as players in the grand final on Sunday 1 June at 4pm.
Article posted on 23rd May, 2008 - 2.29pm
Loading ...
Most Commented: