NETBALL
GIPPSLAND STARS
By TOM HAYES
GIPPSLAND Stars had themselves a mixed bag of results on the opening night of the Victorian Netball League.
The 23 and Under side began their second season in the league, while the Stars also debuted a Championship side, as the two teams matched up against the North East Blaze.
To start their seasons, both sides took to the courts of the State Netball Centre in Parkville on Wednesday, March 12.
23/U: North East Blaze 80 def Gippsland Stars 27
THE 23 and Under side suffered a heavy loss to the Blaze, going down 80 to 27.
Things looked out of hand early, as the Blaze shot out to a 17-point lead in the first quarter, keeping the Stars to just seven goals.
By halftime, the deficit had reached 27 points. During the third quarter, the Stars had their best period, despite being outscored 16-10, however, the Blaze were now up by 33 goals with a quarter to play.
The Stars were seemingly run over in the final term as the Blaze put up 22 goals to two, claiming a 53-goal win.
Morwell’s Anna Solomon was recognised as the Stars’ Player of the Match for a valiant effort in defence. Traralgon-raised Myah Healy top scored with 14 goals (at 61 per cent accuracy).
Championship: Gippsland Stars 43 drew with North East Blaze 43
PLAYING simultaneously, Gippsland Stars took it to the Blaze in the Championship division, with the two sides unable to be separated after an hour of netball.
In an entertaining battle, both sides looked as though they could have won the match, each gaining ascendancy at various stages.
The Blaze shot out early with five of the first six goals, but the Stars then took the lead shortly after. Going back and forth, the Blaze finished the stronger of the two, finishing the first term two goals ahead.
Just about going goal-for-goal in the second quarter, a late run of consecutive goals for the Stars gave them a handy one-goal advantage at the halftime break.
The same could be said for the third term, as late on, the Stars had the chance to go three goals clear in the final minute, but a missed shot allowed the Blaze to quickly hit back. The Blaze, too, missed a goal, which would’ve had them one behind going into the last quarter.
With a little under 10 minutes left in the final term, the scores were tied at 36 apiece, but another three consecutive goals to the Blaze gave them the advantage.
Stars captain, Daisy Hill, stepped up when it mattered, making three goals in a row to again tie the score at 40-all.
It seemed to be the case of scoring events, with no more back and forth, and more momentum shifts, as the Blaze squandered two attempts, but still managed a three-goal advantage, once again, heading into the final minute of the game.
Before the game entered the final minute, Hill scored once again to decrease the deficit to two. Up stepped Stacie Gardiner, who scored twice in the final minute to again tie the scores.
Before anyone could even think about getting ahead, the siren blew, ending the encounter in a draw.
Hill put up 25 goals, while Gardiner scored 16, including two clutch shots at the end of the match. For the Blaze, Moe’s Georgia Moody scored seven goals, playing primarily in goal attack.
Both Gippsland Stars sides have a tricky fixture tonight (Wednesday, March 19) coming up against City West Falcons, who are third in the 23/U competition, and first in the Championship division.
