Blues thwart Arrows

KINGSTON Blues pulled off an impressive 43-37 win over AYC-Friends Arrows in State League netball’s return on Friday night.

Led by defensive duo Rebecca Hyland and new recruit Isabella Maskell from Cavaliers, Kingston weathered the Arrows storm in the last quarter to record the team’s first win over Arrows in years.

Both teams took a while to settle into the match. Arrows were first to capitalise, taking a 4-1 lead before Kingston gathered some composure to pull back level.

Zoe Gough at keeper for Arrows had the ball on a string; but with Kingston’s Maskell and Hyland combining like they’ve played together for years, Arrows couldn’t convert, allowing Kingston to hold a 9-8 lead.

Kingston started the second well, opening a five-goal buffer when Brigitte Clack and Lucy Bosker’s defensive pressure allowed Hyland and

Maskell to continue their dominance, creating headaches for Arrows’ attack end.

Kingston struggled to capitalise and some excellent feeding by Charlotte Wheller kept Arrows in the match as Kingston led 22-17 at halftime.

Arrows moved Natalie Smedley into goal defence to start the third and the switch had an immediate impact.

But the ball swung from end to end in a scrappy period of play during which neither team could dominate and Kingston held a 31-28 lead heading into the last.

Arrows started with an intercept to Smedley and they drew level before strong defensive work from Hyland and Maskell pushed Kingston out by four.

Poor decisions in attack from Kingston allowed Arrows to get within two with less than three minutes to go, but Hyland’s strong rebounding late and excellent composure from Jessica Earney in goals helped Kingston win.

Kingston coach Erin Baker was pleased with the result.

“We are really happy with that start,” she said. “Arrows is a team we haven’t beaten in a number of years so to come away with the win will build our team’s confidence.”

In other matches, a dominant second quarter gave Cripps Waratah a 52-39 win over St.LukesHealth Karana.

Saturday’s grand-final rematch between Cavaliers and Northern Hawks didn’t disappoint, the Hawks getting revenge in a 70-66 win.

Cavaliers held a 37-34 lead at halftime, before the Hawks stepped up the pressure.