Kingston opens its season in style
KINGSTON Blues started their Premier League season with a bang accounting for Karana Flames 40-35.
Kingston failed to make finals last year, whereas Karana was runner-up so it was a great way for Kingston to start the season.
The first quarter was all Kingston. The return of Bec Strong combining with young goalie Sophie Visser enabled Kingston to race to an impressive 13-6 lead.
The second quarter was a much more even contest, with Karana’s Eliza Siely and Laura Bennett creating turnovers.
But Karana was not able to cut into the lead, as Kingston steadied to lead by seven at halftime.
Karana’s goal attack Tash Hudson brought her team back into the match during the third quarter with her continual dominance in the circle keeping Kingston’s Jen Hanlon and Emily-Kate Garvey on their toes. Siely was prolific in the defensive end and continued to create turnovers, allowing Karana to head into the last only one goal down.
Kingston showed great determination in the final quarter as Hanlon and Garvey shut down Karana’s goalies and with Strong shooting beautifully, Kingston was able to win by five goals. Strong was named player of the match.
AYC began its title defence in style with a crushing 59-34 win over Cripps Waratah.
Cripps had a new-look goal circle with Nikki Cunliffe and Sarah Pidgeon, while AYC had recruited tall target Korrin Browning.
The first quarter was a tough contest through the centre court, with Cripps’ Kate Patmore and AYC’s Nat Smedley getting plenty of defensive touches.
The teams headed into the break with AYC up 14-12.
This was as close as Cripps would get, with the centre court pressure from AYC’s Chloe Bennett and Emily Sharp starting to tell. Cripps struggled to get the ball to the circle edge.
As the physicality of the game increased, so too did AYC’s dominance, as it restricted Cripps to seven goals in the second quarter and five in the third.
Cripps’ attempts to double up on Browning allowed Reagan Davie space to create havoc as she helped her team to a 25-goal win and was named player of the match.