Blaze finals dreams live on

The match, controlled by Wagga, was an improvement on last week’s bun-fight with Goulburn which ended in a 15 point victory for the Blaze.

Blaze coach Michael McPherson said the women are in top form.

“The main highlight was the defence, in the first quarter we held them to nine, and in the second they only scored six,” McPherson said.

Wagga’s Nicole McPherson was fierce in defence and Summa Stephens ran the ball assisting Wagga’s transition.

Ashlee Hayllar controlled the tempo of the game and scored 11 points along with Stephanie Male. Dre’Shonda Williams secured the top score with 16 points.

With the game in Wagga’s hands, McPherson made a few interchanges in the fourth quarter.

“We got some good minutes into our bench,” he said.

Goulburn upped the ante and scored a number of three-pointers to end on a high.

The teams’ progression to the finals is steeped on two consecutive away games taking place on Saturday afternoon at 2pm and 6pm.

It’s going to be a huge task according to Blaze coach Michael McPherson who dreads the idea of playing two games on one day.

“It’s shocking that we have to do that,” he said.

“It would be better if we were playing Saturday and then Sunday.”

Wagga faces the most competitive team first.

“At least the games are in the right order, Coffs [Harbour] are a faster side, Newcastle aren’t as quick,” McPherson said.

He believes his team has the depth to win both games.

McPherson expects two previously sick or injured players will be returning to the court including Zoe McFarlane, who played part of the game on Saturday and Jaymee McPherson.

“Zoe’s coming back from glandular fever, she’ll get stronger every week,” McPherson said.