Match Report – Round 2: South Coast Blaze v Penrith Panthers
Pictured: Lightning fast hands in the goal circle between Manaia Mete (GA) and Lindsay Tui (WA) proved too good for Panthers defence
Both Blaze teams came out firing in Round 2 against the Penrith Panthers, with a point to prove following two round 1 losses.
Our U23’s team donned black arm bands as a sign of respect following the loss of Ana Afoa’s grandfather who sadly passed away last week. #OurBlaze would like to send our deepest condolences to Ana and her family.
Opens
First Quarter
A great defensive effort, including 2 rebounds from GK Aisha Bower, saw the Blaze take the lead 4 to 0, keeping the Panthers scoreless for the first 4 minutes.
Both teams scored goal for goal until C Katelyn Anderson took a beautiful intercept which aided the Blaze in scoring 3 goals in quick succession pushing their lead out to 6 points with 3 minutes to go.
With a Panthers goal right on the first quarter buzzer, the Blaze finished the quarter with a 14 to 8 lead.
Q1 Blaze 14 Panthers 8
Second Quarter
Both teams came out strong, with each team scoring in the first 30 seconds.
After great starts C Katelyn Anderson and WA Chelsea Bolton, the attacking end was switched up during the quarter, with C Taylah Davies and WA Maddy Eaton joining the game.
The Blaze maintained their lead throughout the second quarter, finishing with an 8 goal lead.
Q2 Blaze 32 Panthers 24
Third Quarter
It was a slow start to the third quarter with no team scoring in the first 2 minutes. After a few errors from both teams the Panthers brought the margin to 4 points but it slip back to 8 by the end of the third quarter.
Q3 Blaze 43 Panthers 35
Fourth Quarter
Panthers found some consistency in their attacking end making for an exciting start to the fourth quarter. Panthers reduced the lead to 2 points leaving the Blaze with a battle on their hands.
The Blaze fought hard throughout the quarter and were able to maintain their lead, finalising the game with a 4 point win.
Blaze closed out the game in quality fashion continuing to increase their lead throughout the 4th quarter. The combination of GA Manaia Mete and GS Papi Alaalatoa were impossible to defend, as they worked the goal circle seamlessly.
The Blaze stuck to their game plan and closed the game out with a 36 point win.
Final Score: Blaze 57 – Panther 53
Round 2 Gallery – Opens v Panthers
FULL TIME SCORES
Blaze v Penrith Panthers
U23s:
Blaze 70 – Panthers 34
OPENS:
Blaze 57 – Panthers 53
U23s
Tonight, the U23’s donned black arm bands to mourn the loss of Ana Afoa’s grandfather who sadly passed away last week. #OurBlaze send our deepest condolences to Ana and her family.
First Quarter
It was a quick start to the Under 23’s match with both teams coming out firing. After a few error from both sides, Blaze took the first break of the game in the 8th minute.
Blaze began to find their rhythm half way into the first quarter and the shooting combination of GA Mia Evans and GS Papi Alaalatoa capitalised on this with the Blaze taking a 10 point lead heading into the second quarter.
Q1 Blaze 17 Panthers 7
Second Quarter
Blaze made some changes to the attacking end with GA Manaia Mete and WA Lindsay Tui joining the game.
With the first centre pass of the second quarter, Blaze moved quickly scoring in the first 15 seconds. This lead to a 4 point shooting streak, increasing Blazes lead to 14 points.
The quick releases from Blaze’s attacking end made it almost impossible for the Panthers, finishing the second quarter with a 19 point lead.
Q2 Blaze 36 Panthers 17
Third Quarter
Blaze made some changes to the attacking end with GA Manaia Mete and WA Lindsay Tui joining the game.
With the first centre pass of the second quarter, Blaze moved quickly scoring in the first 15 seconds. This lead to a 4 point shooting streak, increasing Blazes lead to 14 points.
The quick releases from Blaze’s attacking end made it almost impossible for the Panthers, finishing the second quarter with a 19 point lead.
Q3 Blaze 53 Panthers 27
Fourth Quarter
Panthers scored first in the third quarter but the Blaze were out to fight after going down by just 2 goals in the previous round.
The Blaze continued to dominate in the third quarter, closing it out with a 26 point lead.
