SOUTHERN Saints got the win they were expected to have over Hawks Netball in an unusually scheduled round of Victorian Netball League (VNL) action. Though there were some other surprising results, the Saints were favourites against the Hawks and got the job done by nine goals, 60-51.

The first quarter was a tight affair. The momentum swung multiple times and the lead was never very big.

Both sets of defenders were particularly impressive. As much as the likes of Kaylia Stanton and Emily Andrew were on target early, Ashlee Barnett, Tadiwanashe Kahonde and Brodie Smith for the Saints and Lauren Hucker and Kirsty Clark for the Hawks were switched on from the get-go, and were certainly not making it easy for the shooters to convert.

Both teams were up and about and very vocal out on court, but as the quarter came to a close, the teams were dead even.

The Saints got the better of the starts in the second term, scoring the first four goals of the term to take an early lead. Their lead did not last forever though as the Hawks slowly but surely crept their way back into the game. However, as hard as the Hawks tried to fully eliminate the deficit, the closest they got was a single goal behind. A late flurry of Saints goals though extended the margin out to three in their favour at the main break.

The third quarter was a dominant one for the Saints. The defenders and midcourters were on song, the shooter to shooter partnership was working well and the scoreboard was benefitting in the process.

Southern Saints’ lead was at one stage heading towards double figures but never quite made it there. A late fightback from the Hawks ensured the margin sat at a mere four goals at the final change. The small deficit did not last too long for the Hawks as the Saints ran away again, taking the lead back out to almost double figures again inside the opening half of the quarter.

The Hawks put up a bit of resistance during the quarter, but the Saints ultimately proved to be too strong and took the win.

In other results, Geelong had a huge win over the Ariels, while Melbourne Uni and Casey had solid win over the Blaze and Waves respectively. The biggest win of the weekend in terms of importance was the one City West recorded, who ended the Expresses’ undefeated start to 2023.

VNL ROUND 5 RESULTS

Ariels (44) lost to Geelong Cougars (67)

City West Falcons (76) defeated Boroondara Express (56)

Southern Saints (60) defeated Hawks Netball (51)

Melbourne University Lightning (58) defeated North East Blaze (44)

Casey Demons (71) defeated Peninsula Waves (59)