The City West Falcons, Monash University Storm, Boroondara Express, Melbourne University Lightning and the Wilson Storage Southern Saints each recorded Championship victories as Round 13 of the Victorian Netball League concluded on Sunday.
The Round commenced on Wednesday evening with three fixtures taking place at the State Netball and Hockey Centre (SNHC).
The City West Falcons recorded their 12th consecutive Championship victory with a hard fought 57-55 win against the Geelong Cougars.
The Falcons also prevailed 57-41 in Division One while the Cougars cruised home to record a comfortable 19 goal victory in their 19/Under match, to extend their unbeaten run to 13 wins.
Star Falcons Championship shooter Kathleen Knott was pleased with the way the team grinded out their two goal win.
“Leading into finals we needed one of those types of games to challenge us and it could have gone either way. It’s good to play that kind of game and come out with a win against a quality side,” Knott said.
Firmly entrenched at the top of the Championship ladder, the former Melbourne Vixen admitted to having finals in the back of her mind.
“I have been in losing grand finals the past couple of years so it would be really good this year to win it, but for now, the focus is on playing each match as it comes.”
The Monash University Storm recorded their fourth Championship victory of the season with a 56-48 win against the Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels.
The victory keeps the Storm’s faint finals hopes alive.
“As a team it is the best we have played as a whole which is really positive going forward,” Storm mid-courter Kelsie Rainbow said.
“I think every game is an opportunity for us to step out there and play some really hard netball and put in place what we have learnt from the week before. We are just sticking to our processes to make sure that every game we are really learning how to play with each other and stepping up every week.”
The Storm also won their 19/Under match 45-40 while the Ariels won their Division One clash 53-44.
The Boroondara Express cemented their place in the Championship top three with a 19 goal win against the ACU Sovereigns.
The Express also proved too strong in Division One, winning 59-41. The Sovereigns won their 19/Under clash 59-39.
On Saturday, the DC North East Blaze recorded a clean sweep of their matches against the Wilson Storage Southern Saints at Community Bank Stadium.
The Blaze are now safely positioned inside the top two in Division One and 19/Under. However, their Championship win proved most crucial, moving them within one win of a place in the top four.
Round 13 concluded on Sunday with the Melbourne University Lightning hosting the Peninsula Waves at the SNHC.
The Lightning triumphed in Championship and 19/Under while the Waves recorded a narrow three goal win in Division One.
Round 14 of the VNL will commence on Wednesday 6 July.
VNL Round 13 Results
Championship
Boroondara Express 60 def 41 ACU Sovereigns
City West Falcons 57 def 55 Geelong Cougars
Monash University Storm 56 def 48 Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels
DC North East Blaze 50 def 47 Wilson Storage Southern Saints
Melbourne University Lightning 59 v 44 Peninsula Waves
Division One
City West Falcons 57 def 41 Geelong Cougars
Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels 53 def 44 Monash University Storm
Boroondara Express 59 def 41 ACU Sovereigns
DC North East Blaze 55 def 44 Wilson Storage Southern Saints
Melbourne University Lightning 45 def by 48 Peninsula Waves
19/Under
Monash University Storm 45 def 40 Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels
ACU Sovereigns 59 def 39 Boroondara Express
Geelong Cougars 60 def 41 City West Falcons
DC North East Blaze 45 def 32 Wilson Storage Southern Saints
Melbourne University Lightning 44 def 34 Peninsula Waves
For the latest VNL news, results and statistics visit vnl.com.au
