WAIS Netballers Compete for WA in the ANL

Published On: 9 September 2009

WAIS netball athletes enjoyed a strong weekend campaign in the ANL, winning two of their three matches to narrowly miss out on the finals.

WA completed their last three games needing three wins to push for a finals place. WA faced NSW Waratahs on Friday night and produced a strong team effort to win the match 57-53.

Stacey Northey had a positive influence, hitting 46 goals at 82 percent. Sarah Ebbott put in a strong game at wing attack and provided aggressive drives in attack and feed the shooters well. Other solid games came from Alicia Janz and Sarah Tatam and the experienced head of Fiona Mitchell pulled out some crucial intercepts in the final quarter to ensure the win.

On Saturday WA playeda very determined ACT Darters outfit in a keenly fought contest. WA built on its performance from Friday night with the centre court dominant over the ACT Darters experienced centre court imports. Sarah Ebbott, Kirby Bentley and Alicia Janz all used their speed and strength to get on top of their opponents.

Mia Washbourne was outstanding at GK combating the ACT Shooter who had enjoyed strong tournaments for the ACT. Washbourne was able to rise to the challenge and create numerous turnovers, whilst Ash Neal was a consistent contributor across the four quarters finishing with 20 of 26 shots at goal. Jasmine Keene 10/14 and Stacey Northey scored 27/39 to ensure WA would strike back to back ANL wins (57-47).

The final game against Queensland would not only require WA to win but to win well as percentage was against the girls and would play a part in the final placings. The match was WA’s third game of the weekend and with Queensland playing just their second, and combination of fresher legs and greater experience got Queensland over the line.

WA had plenty of opportunities but failed to capitalise on them in the final quarter. Queensland won the match 54-48 in a tense contest that kept supporters on edge into the last quarter. Mia Washbourne backed up her performance from Saturday with another solid display against a tall and strong Queensland GS. Lindal Rohde entered the game at half time and did a great job in her first experience at this level.

Following WA’s campaign in the ANL, two WAIS scholarship holders in Mia Washbourne and Sarah Tatam were invited to attend the AIS 2010 Selection Camp which will determine which athletes are offered AIS scholarships for 2010.