Sting set up Finals Push in 2015 ANL

Published On: 8 July 2015

Ingrid Colyer (pic. Netball WA)

The Western Sting has all but secured its place in the Australian Netball League finals for 2015 after recording two wins in Perth over the weekend.

The Sting defeated both the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Fusion at the WA Netball Centre in a clinical display against quality opposition.

Having opened their campaign in Darwin the week before, the Sting carried its impressive form into Saturday’s match with the Waratahs, whom the home side defeated for bronze in last year’s finals series.

Led by an impressive 41 goal effort from recently selected 21/U Australian national team member Kaylia Stanton (WAIS), the Sting managed to cement a vital 60-50 win over the NSW outfit.

WA opened a three goal lead to quarter time, and extended their advantage to both half and three quarter time, with the latter break seeing the hosts holding a 15 goal lead.

Although the Waratahs did gain ground in the final term, WA played controlled netball to ensure the points and maintain energy for their clash with Queensland.

Queensland came into their match with the Sting off the back of a comprehensive win over NT, but found the going significantly more challenging against an in-form WA side.

WA’s defence, led by the excellent Courtney Bruce (WAIS) restricted the Fusion to nine goals in the opening quarter and just 23 to the half. Sting in return held a four goal margin at the break before setting up the win with a dominant third term in which they out-scored their opponents by 18 goals to 13, before keeping the foot on the accelerator to close out a 21 goal win, 66-45.

Stanton again led the way in the goal circle, shooting at 85% for her match high 46 goals. Ingrid Coyler (WAIS) and former WAIS scholarship holder Andrea Gilmour also impressed across the weekend for the Sting.

WA now travels to Tasmania for its final round of matches before finals, where they will face the undefeated Southern Force and hosts Tassie Spirit. The 2015 ANL has two more rounds to play before finals.

The WA Sting side sits second on the ANL ladder and are coached by WAIS netball head coach Michelle Wilkins.