ETSA Contax move to top of the Subway Cup after round 5 win

ETSA Contax have moved to the top of the Subway Cup ladder defeating Contours Matrics 59 – 49 in their round 5 match at Netball SA stadium on Tuesday night.

The win for Contax also means that they remain the only undefeated team in the competition going into round 6 beginning on Friday night.

Contax got the better start in the first quarter on the back of good defensive pressure forcing an early held ball and turnover from Matrics. Their defence also looked to cut down space for Matrics’ in form shooter Cody Lange.  By mid way through the quarter the Matrics settled and took the lead.

However, their lead did not last long as Contax took advantage of some loose Matrics passes converting stolen possession into goals. Contax went into the first break with a 6-goal lead.

The first quarter was played at a good pace and this continued into the second as both sides tried to gain the upper hand.  Contax maintained their lead through good long shooting from GS Amanda Martin but Matrics were edging back late into the quarter.

Lange benefitted from one-on-one defence and good feeds from C Kyra Brown and WA Sheree Wingard with GA Stephanie Hentschel creating space in the circle. At half time Matrics had cut the lead to 1 goal.

As the third quarter began the match was in the balance and this was evident with the crowd sensing the knife-edge situation in the match. Matrics leveled early in the quarter as the sides went goal for goal.

The match then turned in dramatic fashion as Contax completely dominated the end of the quarter pouring on goal after goal. GD Jane Fitzgerald and GK Georgia Beaton were very good in defence showing good anticipation and deciding when to go after the ball extremely well. Fitzgerald and Martin were leading their young side well at each end of the court with the Contax scoring 19 goals for the quarter and jumping out to an 11-goal lead at the final break.

The final quarter was as tough and hard fought as the first with Matrics not giving up despite such a big turn around in the third. Despite good shooting from Matrics, the Contax young mid-courters kept their composure well and guided the side home. Madeleine Proud lead the mid-court well and displayed a good combination with fellow young gun Chloe Joyce in the final quarter.

Contax coach Leanne Eichler was happy with how her side responded to a tough challenge from Matrics.

“It was a tough game and we always knew we were going to get against the Trics but we got challenged at 31 all and it was good to see the fight in the girls when they are challenged.” She said.

Matrics assistant coach Sally Francis said that while the team played well the second half of the third quarter really cost them.

“I really think it was just a half a quarter in the third quarter, we started the quarter strongly we made a change in attack and started strong but they got a run on and made a few adjustments.”

“We didn’t adjust quickly enough, Contax are a quality opposition and can score very quickly and we let them do that.”

In the other round 5 matches Health and Life Phoenix defeated Woods Panthers 46 – 36 and The Royal Cougars notched up their first win of the competition beating Garville 67 – 30.

Round 6 matches commence on Friday the 20^th of April at Netball SA Stadium at 7pm.

Quarter by Quarter:

Q1:   Con   15 – 9   Mat

Q2:   Con   24 – 23   Mat

Q3:   Con   43 – 32   Mat

Q4:   Con   59 – 49   Mat

Shooting Percentages:

Contax     59/80   (73.7%)

A. Martin:     37/52   (71.1%)

C. Lemke:     9/12   (75%)

C. Gregory:     13/16   (81.2%)

Matrics    49/58   (84.4%)

C. Lange:     31/39   (79.4%)

S. Hentschel:     8/8   (100%)

L. Packard:     10/11   (90.9%)