Positions in the top four are starting to take shape following an entertaining start to Round 16 of the Victorian Netball League on Wednesday night.
12 of the round’s 15 matches were contested, with the DC North East Blaze and Ariels to be played at Diamond Creek on Saturday night.
Championship
Melbourne University Lightning made a big statement in Championship, with a 41-goal win against the Wilson Storage Southern Saints.
The Lightning’s 83 goal total, was the highest recorded across all three divisions this season.
Firmly entrenched in the top four in third position, the City West Falcons are now only one win away from securing a finals berth after a hard-fought 57-50 win against Monash University Storm.
“We had a bigger lead at three-quarter-time and then kind of let them slip back into it, but we pushed out and held on so it was good,” said Falcons Goal Defender Jacqui Newton.
In other results, the Geelong Cougars are one step closer to making their maiden appearance in the Championship finals, with a strong 60-47 victory over the Boroondara Express.
Division One
The Geelong Cougars extended their Division One winning streak to 11, after a dominant 65-32 victory against Boroondara Express.
Hannah van Gemst led the scorers for the Cougars, shooting 25 from 29 at 87%, while Bianca Cheever (pictured) and Laura Cayzer were strong midcourt performers.
The best viewing was on court two, with the ACU Sovereigns recording a narrow four-goal win against Peninsula Waves, 55-51.
Sovereigns Goal Shooter Rebecca Scott continued her outstanding season, finishing with game-high 41 goals at 86% accuracy.
In other results, the Falcons edged the Storm 53-44, and the Saints overpowered the Lightning 59-36.
19/Under
The race to the minor premiership became no clearer following the first four Round 16 matches on Wednesday night.
Just two points separates the top three after the Falcons, Cougars and Lightning won their matches against Storm, Express and Saints respectively.
The Blaze can join them in securing a place in the top four with a victory against the Ariels on Saturday night.
In the remaining match, the Waves recorded their third win of the season, 55-49 against the Sovereigns.
Victorian Netball League – Round 16 Results
Championship
Boroondara Express 47 def by 60 Geelong Cougars
Wilson Storage Southern Saints 42 def by 83 Melbourne University Lightning
Monash University Storm 50 def by 57 City West Falcons
ACU Sovereigns 52 def by 58 Peninsula Waves
Division One
Boroondara Express 32 def by 65 Geelong Cougars
Wilson Storage Southern Saints 59 def 36 Melbourne University Lightning
Monash University Storm 44 def by 53 City West Falcons
ACU Sovereigns 55 def 51 Peninsula Waves
19/Under
Boroondara Express 32 def by 58 Geelong Cougars
Wilson Storage Southern Saints 40 def by 48 Melbourne University Lightning
Monash University Storm 38 def by 51 City West Falcons
ACU Sovereigns 49 def by 56 Peninsula Waves
To be played – Saturday 22 July
DC North East Blaze v Ariels at Community Bank Stadium
For the latest Victorian Netball League news and results visit vnl.com.au
