Sting Make Solid Start to ANL Season

The Western Sting have made a solid start to the 2014 Australian Netball League after recording two wins and a loss from their first round of fixtures.

After having a bye in the first round of ANL, the Sting hosted three matches in round two, accounting for the Territory Storm and Victorian Flames, which bookended a defeat to reigning champion Victorian Fury.

The Sting opened their 2014 campaign with a dominant 67-33 win over the Storm, racing out to an eight goal lead by quarter time, which they stretched to an eventual 34 goal win.

WAIS athletes Kaylia Stanton and Kate Beveridge gave the hosts a cutting edge in the shooting circle with 22 and 20 goals respectively, whilst defensively WAIS pair Courtney Bruce and Annika Lee-Jones kept the visitors at bay.

A far tougher assignment awaited the Sting in their second clash, against 2013 champion, Vic Fury.

The Sting led by two goals at half-time, and managed to push a further goal’s advantage at three by half time (23-20). The Fury however, stormed back in the second half to overrun the Sting, rounding out a 35-51 defeat of the hosts.

The WA outfit bounced back strongly at HBF Stadium in their final match for the weekend, posting a commanding 12 goal win (52-40) over the Flames.

A strong mid-court game from WAIS athletes Ashleigh Brazill and Ingrid Colyer provided the catalyst for the Sting’s success, whilst Beveridge maintained her good form to capitalise on the home side’s dominance to finish with 33 goals at 89% accuracy.

The Western Sting will travel to Queensland for round three starting on July 25. They currently occupy fourth spot on the ANL ladder.