Arrows aiming at return to decider

AYC-FRIENDS Arrows will be looking to make their sixth straight State League netball grand final when they meet Cavaliers in today’s preliminary final at the Silverdome in Launceston.

Arrows suffered a disappointing one-goal loss to Northern Hawks last weekend, while Cavaliers will be riding the momentum of a 56-43 win over Kingston Blues.

Nevertheless, Arrows have been a formidable force in the State League competition for many years with Andrew Jackson at the helm and the team will be desperate to continue their impeccable record.

Arrows’ tenacity and strength at the ball is a trademark of their game and with decision-making that is second to none they have beaten many a team purely by reputation alone.

Cavaliers have had an impressive season with their only losses coming at the hands of Hawks and Arrows. They have been hard at the ball this year too, with their offline defence, fitness and physicality troubling other sides. Arrows have had the better of Cavaliers this season winning two of their three encounters, recording a 63-41 win in Round 18.

Today’s match will no doubt be a physical defensive encounter and with both teams coming off lower than normal shooting stats last weekend, the pressure will be on the goalies to get the job done. Arrows player Kate Marr said the team would be putting the disappointment of losing by one behind them.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re over that and ready for this week,” she said.

“I certainly think it will be a hard task, but if we can get through this weekend we’ve got a real chance.

“They’re super fit, super physical, as are we, so it is always a really tough match.” FIXTURE: Under-19s Cripps v Hawks at 10am; Opens: Arrows v Cavaliers at 11.30am.