Last year’s finalists looking ominous early in season

IT may still be early season, but last year’s women’s club finalists are both in ominous form.

Ajax beat the Andy Bay Falcons 7946 and South Pac Magic claimed an equally impressive 8458 win over Varsity on Tuesday night.

For Ajax, it was a strong second quarter that got the job done.

It won that 277, streaking out to a 4015 lead at halftime.

The Falcons fought back to hold that deficit at the end of the third, at 5631.

However, they were unable to eat into the lead and Ajax widened the gap again the fourth.

Ajax’s range of threats proved too difficult to deal with.

It had four players score in doubledigits — Nicole Ruske and Danielle Frost leading the way with 14 points each.

Aleisha Ruske and Olivia O’Neill both had 12 and Natalie Smith chipped in with eight.

Zoe Richards topscored for the Falcons with 13 points.

In the early game, a dominant second half enabled Magic to pull away to notch a resounding win over Varsity.

It led 2716 at the first break, although was held to 10 points in the second quarter as Varsity pulled the score back to 3731.

However, the Magic pulled away in the third quarter. Guards Dayna Turnbull and Georgia Te Au pushed the pace and were tough to contain in transition.

Dana Goularte made several brilliant passes to set up her teammates.

In the halfcourt, the side moved the ball well and executed efficiently to score against Varsity’s zone.

Magic jumped out to a 6644 lead at the end of the third quarter, extending that to 8458 at the final buzzer.