Fury too Strong for Sting

Having recorded two losses to finish Round Three of the Australian Netball League (ANL) against the Queensland Fusion, the Western Sting were looking to regain their winning ways heading into Round Four in Melbourne.

The side travelled to Melbourne last weekend to verse the Victorian Fury in their final away trip for the season.

In the first two games the Sting fought hard to end the game a mere three-goals behind their opponents on the scoreboard. 

As like several of their games before the Sting found themselves behind late in the game, a six goal deficit at three-quarter time requiring a major effort in order to claim the win.

The final break saw Head Coach Michelle Wilkins make the decision to bring on debutant, Brittany Turnbull in the Wing Attack position.

This had notable benefits, the fresh legs providing drive assisting in converting the side’s defensive turnovers.

Despite their efforts and strong final term, outscoring their opposition by three goals, the side were unable to add a win to their name. 

Game two saw the Sting travel to Werribee, a suburb 32km south-east of the Melbourne CBD, to compete. 

Following a match between the two states Suncorp Super Netball sides the previous night, West Coast Fever defender Annika Lee-Jones and Melbourne Vixens athletes Emma Ryde and Kadie-Ann Dehaney dropped down to play for their respective ANL sides.

Kadie-Ann Dehaney provided a number of turnovers for the Victorian side in the opening quarter helping her side to a nine goal lead to finish the first term.

Michelle Wilkins said “to be nine goals down in the first quarter and only go on to lose by 11 is frustrating because it shows we are competitive in the contest but not consistently from the start.”

“Our build up was quite good in attack but we need to be cleaner with the ball because it was a handful of basic errors that placed us under pressure.” 

“The good thing about this group is that they can reconnect and work their way back into a game, it’s now about doing it across a full, 60-minute performance.”

The Sting will now find themselves with the home ground advantage, playing the remainder of their fixtures at the State Netball Centre in Perth.

Having returned to Perth, the side turn their attention to this weekend’s clashes against the NSW Warratahs.

The Sting will be looking to record a win against their opponents in order to keep their finals hopes alive.