THE North East Blaze have bounced back from last week’s VNL loss in an emphatic way, defeating Hawks Netball 63-54.

The Blaze came into their game with several key players missing from their starting line up. Alex Miller, Ruby Turner and Sienna Allen were all missing for the Blaze.

It was goal for goal in the opening couple of minutes, and with both high profile shooters in Kaylia Stanton and Nyah Allen shooting well, it had all the hallmarks of a potentially enthralling clash.

It took until about halfway through the first term for the Blaze to start building a little bit of a lead. The Hawks came right back at them in the back half of the term, but the Blaze held a small two goal lead at the first change.   Although the Blaze were able to extend their lead slightly in the opening third of the second term, it still felt like a very even contest.

As the quarter progressed through, the Blaze started to get on top again and the momentum was definitely with the Blaze. They were using the width of the court really well and their shooting combination of Allen and Georgia Moody were working together really well. At the major break, the Blaze’s lead was four goals.

The Hawks made a few changes at half-time with the hope that things would turn around for them.

It did not work early on as the Blaze extended their lead out even further to as much as seven goals. The Hawks brought it back to within four goals but the Blaze got it back out to as much as nine goals.

The Hawks pegged it back ever so slightly at the back end of the quarter to see the margin sit at eight goals at the final change.

That margin proved too much for the Hawks to peg back in the end, as the Blaze took out an impressive win. The Hawks certainly had their chances in the last term , but some errant passing in their attacking third and into their goal circle meant that they could not make the most of those opportunities.  

In other results, Geelong Cougars bounced back from last round’s shock loss with were far too strong for Peninsula Waves, and the Boroondara Express were too strong for the Casey Demons. The Melbourne University Lightning comfortably took care of the Ariels, while the City West Falcons had a bit of an upset win over the Southern Saints.

VNL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 6 RESULTS:

Casey Demons (53) lost to Boroondara Express (72)
Melbourne University Lightning (75) defeated Ariels (33)
City West Falcons (67) defeated Wilson Storage Southern Saints (46)
North East Blaze (63) defeated Hawks Netball (54)
Peninsula Waves (37) lost to Geelong Cougars (75)