The ETSA Contax have
stretched their lead to 5 points in the 2012 Subway Cup after defeating the
Contours Matrics 57-49 at Netball SA Stadium on Friday night.
The 8 goal margin
certainly does not tell the tale of the match after an extremely tight affair
that saw Contax open the deficit in the final quarter.
Although succumbing to
their second loss in a row, Matrics were a much improved side to the one
defeated by Woods Panthers a week earlier.
The first quarter was
very even and lived up to the crowd’s expectations as they watched the top of
the table clash. Both sides displayed good ball movement through the mid-court
as play seamlessly went from end to end.
Matrics C Kyra Brown and
WA Sheree Wingard showed excellent patience on the edge of their attacking
circle as the Contax defenders applied strong pressure. Both sides gained small leads during
the quarter but at the first break scores were, deservedly, level.
Contax continued there
superb defensive pressure into the second quarter but penalties crept into the
game allowing the patient Matrics to open up a 4 goal advantage.
Contax were able to
take the lead briefly but an intercept from Matrics GD Sarah Kennedy put her
side back on attack and they converted possession into goals. By half time
Matrics had once again opened up a 4 goal lead.
Third quarter play was
once again very even as both sides continued the physical battle across the
court. The Contax defence was starting to wear the Matrics down enabling them
to level the scores 8 minutes into the quarter.
Match speed noticeably
quickened as both sides try to gain momentum but it was the Contax who found
it. Strong work around the attacking circle from Contax GA Amanda Martin
enabled quick ball for herself and shooting partner Casey Gregory. Contax
taking a 2 goal lead into the final quarter with the match hanging in the
balance.
Some super defence
from Contax GK Georgia Beaton enabled her side to continue their third quarter
momentum early in the last quarter. The lead crept out to 5 goals early and had
Matrics under pressure.
However, Matrics
continued to battle hard and a comeback could not be ruled out but with time
winding down turnovers crept into their game. Contax took advantage and
executed possession well and at one stage held and 11 goal lead.
Matrics were able to
claw a few goals back late in the quarter but time and a controlled Contax side
would keep the final margin to 8 goals.
Leanne Eichler stated
how important the Contax defensive game had to be against a strong Matrics
frontline and was happy with her player’s decision making during the match.
“It was probably setup
with our second half, it was the one thing to have a shoot-out with Matrics
being so powerful up forward so I guess it was always going to be a bit of a
defensive game.
“We try to and
identify opportunities during the game where we can put the pedal down, but
there’s girls out there with experience and they know when to do it,” she said.
Matrics coach Jacqui
Illman said that while her side was much more consistent she felt they could
have won the game but they need to maintain for the full sixty minutes.
“I thought we were
much more consistent, I thought our first half was very good and we had patches
in the second half but we have to able to maintain for four quarters to beat a
side by Contax.
“At times we handled
it [Contax defensive pressure] really, really well but there were times where
we got frustrated or we blazed away when we shouldn’t have, so again it’s just
the inconsistency that cost us.”
The Royal Cougars won
the other round 12 Friday night game, defeating Stellar Homes Garville 63-41
and on Saturday the Health and Life Phoenix defeated Woods Panthers in a
thrilling match that went down to the final seconds. The score was 52-51.
Quarter-by-quarter scores:
Q1:
Matrics 13 – 13 Contax
Q2:
Matrics 28 – 24
Contax
Q3:
Matrics 37 – 39 Contax
Q4:
Matrics 49 – 57
Contax
Match Scoring Statistics:
Contax 57/72
79.17%
C. Gregory: 36/45 80%
A. Martin: 21/27 77.78%
Matrics 49/64
76.56%
L. Packard: 35/46 76.09%
S. Hentschel: 14/18 77.78%
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