Match Report – Round 1: South Coast Blaze v ERNA Hawks
Pictured: Firing Blaze defender Tegan Holland gets a clean hand to the ball against the HAWKS GA.
Two close games for Blaze to kick off Season 2022, in our Round 1 matches against competition powerhouse the ERNA Hawks.
A slow start unfortunately ended up too much for the U23’s to run down in an impressive second half. Opens showed a lot of heart in a close game where the lead changed multiple times throughout. Some silly mistakes unfortunately cost the Opens the game in the dying seconds. Both teams demonstrated signs of excellence with the Opens Defensive end showing real promise for an exciting season to come.
Opens
Summary: The Opens team started very well holding a two-goal lead into the half time break. A tough third quarter saw them run down a 6-goal deficit which was ultimately too much for them to reign in. The final quarter was exciting with the lead changing multiple times with ERNA coming out winners 53-51. Blaze defensive end showed some really promising signs with new defender Aisha Bower keeping new NSW Swifts recruit and former SCB Blaze U23’s player Sophie Fawns at bay. Returning local junior Maddie Eaton also showed promise in the shooting circle and mid court. New combinations promising for an exciting season.
First Quarter
Blaze started very well going up 4 nil early. The battle was tight as the quarter progressed with some excellent defensive work from C Taylah Davies, GK Tegan Holland and GD Aisha Bower. ERNA found their feet as the quarter progressed however Blaze were able to hold onto a 1 goal lead going into the break.
Score: SCB 12 ERNA 11
Second Quarter
Changes were made bringing Co-Captain Katelyn Anderson onto the court at C which pushed Co-Captain and Club Captain Taylah Davies into WA. The Blaze continued their push climbing to a 5 goal lead with 10 minutes to go in the quarter. GK Tegan Holland was particularly impressive pulling in several intercepts. The tousle continued throughout the quarter with the Blaze able to hold onto a 2 goal lead into the break.
Halftime Score: SCB 28 ERNA 26
Third Quarter
ERNA stepped it up to start the third quarter and drew level with 11 minutes to go in the third. Some defensive changes didn’t appear to pay dividends for the Blaze with the ERNA GS finding her game. The Blaze going down 6 goals at the end of the third.
Score: ERNA 43 SCB 38
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter saw changes in the shooting end with returning Illawarra junior Maddy Eaton coming into GA. This allowed Co-Captains Anderson and Davies to return to their familiar C and WA positions. Some excellent attacking work saw the deficit reduced to 1 with 11 minutes to play. The tousle continued with one goal separating the two teams for the next 5 minutes. The game went down to the wire with a few mistakes in key moments making the difference for Blaze going down 53-51 at the full-time whistle. An impressive performance by the Blaze against one of the competition’s powerhouses sets the team up for a promising season.
Final Score: ERNA 53 SCB 51
FULL TIME SCORES
Blaze v ERNA Hawks
Opens: ERNA 53 – SCB 51
U23s: ERNA 47 – Blaze 43
U23s
Summary:
Our U23’s started slow. A comeback in the third quarter was impressive, bringing the deficit to 2 at one stage but it wasn’t enough to win them the game, ultimately going down 47 to 43. New shooter Papi Alaatatoa was a definitive standout, making a huge impact in the third quarter.
First Quarter
The 23’s started very slow with combinations struggling to gel on court. A few missed goals and lapses in concentration for the Blaze saw ERNA creep out to a 7- goal lead at quarter time.
Score: ERNA 15 – SCB 8
Second Quarter
Changes in the defensive end and mid court didn’t seem to pay dividends for the Blaze with the deficit continuing to blow out, finishing 26-17 down at half time.
Halftime Score: 26-17
Third Quarter
The third quarter saw Papi Alaalatoa introduced who had an immediate impact and saw a 9 goal deficit reduced to just 2 at the quarter time. Wing defender Anastasia Afoa also a standout performer.
Score: ERNA 34 – SCB 32
Fourth Quarter
The 23’s continued to fight into the fourth quarter but ERNA proved too good in the end coming out winners 47-43.
