CAVS ROLLING ON

CAVALIERS’ strong third quarter helped them record a 54-44 win over Cripps Waratah ahead of next weekend’s State League netball finals.

Cavaliers’ attacking end proved the difference and they will be looking to carry the momentum into next week’s knockout finals.

Both teams’ defensive ends started well, creating several turnovers but it was Cavaliers who capitalised for a four-goal lead.

A frantic few minutes to finish the quarter saw Cavaliers take a 14-11 lead into the first break. Cripps lifted their intensity to start the second quarter, with Alex Vinen and Hannah Navickas shutting down space in the Cavaliers circle to get back within one.

Cavaliers responded though with Lucy Dennis, Shelby Miller and Piper Sanders raising their defensive efforts through the centre as Cripps struggled to capitalise on transition, helping Cavaliers maintain a 23-20 lead at halftime.

Cavaliers’ defensive work outside the circle saw Cripps struggle to find their goalies, with Sanders picking up several loose balls. The Hayley McDougall and Zoe Claridge connection was working well in the circle despite the best efforts of Vinen as Cavaliers extended their lead to 44-31 heading into the final term.

Miller and Deeana Wadley’s feeding continued to be exceptional for Cavaliers, with Claridge and McDougall finishing well. Vinen and Navickas fought hard to try and close the gap as they pulled back a few goals but it wasn’t enough as Cavaliers came away with the win.

Cavaliers coach Dan Roden used the weekend as an opportunity to consolidate combinations.

“At the end of the season we came here to finish on a high note. We wanted to win two from two and we’ve done that, so that’s a great weekend,” he said.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do if we want to challenge the best in the competition.

“But I felt that over the two days we’ve proved that we are certainly worthy of making finals.

“Cripps were really good defensively and in attack so it was really good to come away with a hard-fought win.”

Cripps coach Rosalie Navickas was pleased with how the team bounced back after their tough match against Northern Hawks.

“Defensively we worked hard,” Navickas said, adding “we had some good connections throughout the court, particularly in the last quarter.”

The win was Cavaliers’ second of the weekend after recording a 58-36 victory over St.LukesHealth Karana.

In Saturday’s other matches, Hawks had a comprehensive 76-34 win over Cripps, Kingston dominated 76-30 against Devon.

In yesterday’s matches, AYC-Friends Arrows kept Devon winless with a 70-24 win and Hawks dished out a heavy 81-25 loss to St.LukesHealth.