Arrows douse Flames with Gunn on target

AYC-FRIENDS Arrows overcame Karana Flames 53-41 in a scrappy affair in Friday night’s State League netball match.

Arrows scored the first three goals of the game and though Karana battled hard, it wasn’t able to catch the reigning premiers, with Arrows remaining in front for the rest of the match.

Some scrappy play by both teams saw them create opportunities but they were unable to convert, going goal for goal.

Some great defensive work by Karana helped it get back to within one before Arrows pulled away again to head into the first break 15-11.

Both teams created chances to start the second quarter, with Zoe Gough at keeper for Arrows getting lots of touches.

Despite some great efforts, Karana was unable to counteract the height difference of Sophie Gunn as she managed to score and rebound strongly.

Defensively Karana created chances but in attack was impatient and continued to try to feed its goalies from just inside the goal third, allowing Arrows defenders Gough and Ellie Fleming to pick up easy intercepts.

Some lovely work through the centre by Amy Rainbird as she consistently found Gunn saw Arrows pile on nine unanswered goals and they shot out to a 28-19 lead at halftime.

Both teams again created opportunities to start the third quarter, but some poor passing choices and scrappy play saw neither team gain any level of ascendancy with the score 39-27 to Arrows heading into the last quarter.

Arrows opened up a 16-goal lead to start the last and looked like they might run away with the game.

But then Karana’s defensive pressure increased considerably with Kaitlin Petrie, Zanna Jodlowska and Emily Hniat taking multiple intercepts and helping Karana score seven unanswered goals.

Arrows struggled to counteract the speed of Caela Welsh in attack and despite some inspirational work from Jodlowska in defence, Karana just wasn’t able to make a dent in the score.

When Arrows were able to get the ball into Gunn’s hands she didn’t let them down, finishing the match with 50 goals from 53 attempts in helping her side to the 12-goal win.

Arrows coach Andrew Jackson was pleased to come away with the win despite the scrappy contest.

“There’s a bit of improvement there to work on including some slicker ball movement,” said Jackson, adding “to fight hard and win ugly was good in itself”.

Karana acting coach Lou Carter was exceptionally pleased the team continued to battle to the end.

“We followed the game plan to unsettle the centre court of Arrows,” she said.

“We had fantastic midcourt pressure in a great defensive effort from the whole team.”

In the only other match for the round, Kingston won 47-43 against Cripps Waratah.