Sharp shooting and commanding wins provided a round full of excitement this week, while another draw in Division 1 makes it five in total for the 2023 VNL season!
CHAMPIONSHIP
North East Blaze (59) defeated Peninsula Waves (54)
Boroondara Express (56) defeated Geelong Cougars (45)
Melbourne University Lightning (73) defeated Casey Demons (42)
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (67) defeated Ariels (44)
Hawks Netball (51) defeated by City West Falcons (67)
Three teams sit undefeated after three rounds of VNL: Boroondara Express, North East Blaze and Wilson Storage Southern Saints. Samantha Silvester shot at 91% accuracy for the Blaze in the tightest tussle of the round, while Clare Vearing was the star for Waves, shooting 40 of the team’s 54 goals.
City West Falcons’ goalers both shot at 90% accuracy in their win over Hawks Netball, while Isabelle Hodgson spearheaded the Express’ victory against Geelong with 40 goals. Melbourne University Lightning had a comfortable win over Casey Demons, and the Saints claimed a 23-goal victory over Ariels at Oakleigh Rec Centre.
DIVISION 1
Melbourne University Lightning (63) defeated Casey Demons (35)
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (62) defeated Ariels (35)
Hawks Netball (50) drew with City West Falcons (50)
North East Blaze (51) defeated by Peninsula Waves (56)
Boroondara Express (43) defeated by Geelong Cougars (51)
The Lightning and Saints both enjoyed comfortable wins against the Demons and Ariels, claiming victory by 32 and 33 goals respectively. Clare Oakley led the Lightning’s attack, scoring 41 goals at 89% accuracy. North East Blaze suffered a narrow loss in their clash, just five goals separating them from the Peninsula Waves.
The fifth draw of the season was played out between the Hawks and Falcons; momentum changed hands a few times throughout the contest but the teams were ultimately unable to be split at the final whistle. The draw leaves Geelong Cougars as the only team with three wins from three matches; they now sit at the top of the Division 1 ladder.
19&UNDER
Boroondara Express (52) defeated Geelong Cougars (44)
Hawks Netball (27) defeated by City West Falcons (52)
Wilson Storage Southern Saints (46) defeated Ariels (42)
North East Blaze (70) defeated Peninsula Waves (45)
Melbourne University Lightning (46) defeated Casey Demons (45)
The Demons and Lightning fought the fiercest clash of round three in the 19&Under division. Holly Stephens did her best to lead Casey to victory, scoring over half of the team’s goals, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Lightning from claiming a round three clean sweep. The Lightning join City West Falcons and North East Blaze at the top of the ladder as they continue their dominant form, both teams claiming 25-goal wins this week.
Ariels took the contest to the Saints at Oakleigh, with Annecy Lyon capitalising on the scoring opportunities that came her way as she moved seamlessly from wing attack to goal attack. The Saints managed to snare a four-goal win, moving them into the top four.
UP NEXT
Round 4 – Wednesday 5 April
- Boroondara Express vs Wilson Storage Southern Saints (Livestream – Netball Victoria Facebook Page)
- Peninsula Waves vs Ariels
- North East Blaze vs City West Falcons (Livestream – KommunityTV)
- Hawks Netball vs Melbourne University Lightning
- Geelong Cougars vs Casey Demons
