Blues for Flame test in scorcher semi

KINGSTON Blues meet Karana Flames in tonight’s elimination semi-final of the Tasmanian Netball League.

Only three goals have separated the teams in their encounters this year. Kingston took the first win with a goal on the siren to snatch victory and Karana won the second in a momentum-swinging affair, storming home from a fivegoal deficit in the third quarter to win by two.

Though Karana finished the season in third, only percentage separated the two.

Kingston may have the edge, given it made finals last year and most players have played senior TNL finals.

“We’re really looking forward to Friday night’s match,” Kingston defender Laura Elliott said.

“We’re taking confidence from last year’s efforts as well as the season so far.”

In contrast, not one Karana player has participated in a senior TNL final and they head into the match an unknown quantity.

“The team is really excited because it’s their first time heading into finals,” Karana coach Alicia Sargent said.

“It’s just so exciting to have such a young team make finals.”

The game is 8.05pm at Hobart Netball and Sports Centre.

In the second semi-final, ladder leaders AYC-Friends Arrows take on Northern Hawks with the winner booking a spot in the grand final.

Arrows will be without star defender AJ Gough and polished goal attack Kate Prins, but the team has enough star power to cover these losses.

Though undefeated, Arrows coach Andrew Jackson is taking nothing for granted.

“Any of the teams in the four are a threat, they’re a genuine threat — we know we need to play our best.”

The game is 6.15pm tomorrow at Hobart Netball and Sports Centre.