Shooting Stars and Turvey Park will have a dress rehearsal of the elimination semi-final when they meet in the feature match of the Wagga A grade netball competition on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Unless results of the remaining four rounds include a few upsets, the Stars and Turvey, currently in third and fourth places on the ladder, will play in the first semi-final on September 2.
The two teams have met twice this season already, and on each occasion the Stars were the winners.
However, the round two match on May 6 saw the Stars win 52-39, but an improved Turvey lost the round seven match by only three goals, 42-39, suggesting that Turvey has every right to think they could topple their opponent this Saturday.
Key players for Turvey Park are shooters, Nicky Gallagher and Morgan Watts. Both are capable of being match-winners with their agility and smart ball control, but they need to develop consistency in their conversion.
They’ll often net the ‘impossible’, but miss the so-called ‘easy’ shots.
They’ll be up against Brianna Cain and Maddy McIntyre, both busy defenders, who’ll make the Turvey pair earn their shots.
At the other end of the court, Turvey boast form players in Jaimee Smith and Sara Schneider, who’ll have to contend with the height of youngster, Katie Caller and the experience (although not always in this position) of defender-cum-forward, Jemima Norbury, the Shooting Stars’ goalers.
In mid-court, Turvey’s centre Sherrene Thompson, is ‘hitting her straps’at the right time, sisters Teagan and Kira Hallam are tearaway players and Emma Robertson is always on hand to add bite to the centre court players.
The Stars have Bridgett Dill and Hayley Stevens performing well, alternating at centre and wing attack, and the young, but experienced, Brodie Jaques and Frances Heffernan in support.
It should be a good, close contest, with the winner gaining a psychological advantage come finals time.
In the other match, it’s top of the table, Uranquinty, playing bottom side, CSU Reddies.
As the positions on the ladder suggest, the undefeated competition leaders, Uranquinty, should have no trouble in beating the gallant and enthusiastic Reddies.
While the Reddies, yet to win a game, are not likely to break through for a maiden win, you can bet that every goal they score will be well applauded by their loyal and vocal supporters.
Uranquinty will quite possibly use the match to further experiment with various players in different positions, thus strengthening their team through the versatility of their 11 squad members.
The Reddies will again look to their twin bookends, Alannah Cusack at back and sister, Brianne, up forward, to show the way and Hannah Williams, Maddie Moon and Sharlee Kerr to play their usual determined games.
