Phys Ed B claims upset victory
UNDERDOG Phys Ed B rallied from behind to provide the upset of the round in beating South Pacific Titans A 4845 in premier club play at the Edgar Centre on Saturday.
It was a game of two halves in which Titans pulled away to a 1210 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Missing a few of its key players through injury, the Titans’ senior players stepped up with the connections flowing nicely through the first half.
Titans centre Dora Nafatali had her eye in early, effortlessly feeding into goal shooter Tiare Scott.
Playing with flair, wing attack Nadia Lyders fed the circle from the centre third, clearing the ball over Phys Ed’s defensive zone to enable it to go into the halftime break up 2519.
The wheels fell off for the Titans in the third quarter with connections faltering and passes going astray.
Phys Ed injected Caitlin Gibson at centre at halftime, which paid dividends as she steadied the ship in the middle.
Strong defensive pressure from Phys Ed goal keep Mara McCurdy resulted in Titans changing its shooting circle midway through the quarter.
Nadia
Lyders slotted across the court to goal attack pushing Kelly Laurence back to goal shoot.
Laurence held strong space for herself under the post providing some stability for her team but McCurdy still proved to be a nuisance for the Titans’ attack line making it hard for the feeders to release the ball.
Phys Ed goal shoot Maggie Burns came to life in the second half, slotting the ball through the net from everywhere in the circle and helping her team win the third quarter 198.
It came into the fourth quarter with its nose in front at 3833 and refused to give up its lead.
Phys Ed continued to play the ball around, treasuring possession, and was not afraid to go back to the transverse line to reset when no options were available in its attacking third.
Titans put up a good fight in the last quarter coming within three after a centre pass intercept from goal defence Amy Waqawai lifted the team.
Goal keep Maddy Campbell tipped a beautiful deflection over a Burns shot in the last minute but it was not enough to close the gapn.
In the other game, Phys Ed A thumped St Hilda’s Collegiate School A 6936.
Phys Ed was too strong from start leading 3519 at the halftime break.
Goal attack Ella McCall was a standout for Phys Ed in both her ability to feed goal shoot Sarah Boomer and sink the long shot herself.
Wing defence Abbi Souchon picked up two circleedge intercepts after coming into the game at halftime.
Phys Ed cut through any defensive pressure put on by the St Hilda’s defence line making it smooth sailing for the midcourt feeding into Boomer and McCall.
St Hilda’s wing defence Amelia Scully picked up a few deflections and was substantial in bringing the ball through the mid court but her efforts were not enough to stop the inform Phys Ed outfit.