Sting Secure Third Spot in ANL

The Western Sting face a finals show-down with either Southern Force or Vic Fury after securing third sport on the Australian Netball League ladder in round four.

The Sting were beaten 49-42 by the Force in their first of two matches in Tasmania for round four, before bouncing back to defeat the hosts 59-42 to secure third spot.

A powerful first quarter had set the Sting up with an opportunity to inflict the Force’s first defeat of the season, with the WA side leading by five goals at quarter time. The Force however, managed to take control in the second quarter and opened up a single goal lead at the main break. A tense second half saw both sides with opportunities, but it was the South Australians who would take the win.

WA bounced back strongly to defeat the Tassie Spirit but not with out a fight. Boasting a number of interstate representatives in 2015, the Spirit has lived up to its name, but 47 goals to WAIS athlete Kaylia Stanton ensured the Sting would secure its position in the top four, and will now await the victor of the round five match between Southern Force and Vic Fury to see who they will meet in the finals.

The NSW Waratahs currently occupy fourth position in the ladder, but with a bye in round five, Queensland Fusion need only win one of its remaining two matches to leapfrog the Waratahs into the finals series to be held in Victoria in the last weekend of July.

The WA Sting side – coached by WAIS head coach Michelle Wilkins – will now prepare for the finals, having completed their ANL regular season with five wins and two loses.