PENINSULA Waves got their first win of the 2023 Victorian Netball League (VNL) season, racking up a 66-51 victory over the Ariels.

The Waves officially moved off the bottom of the ladder after their breakthrough victory, taking over the previously ninth placed Ariels who now sit on the cellar floor, also with one win.

Peninsula looked to have its combinations sorted out in the last few rounds, challenging some of the teams higher up on the ladder.

Last time these two sides met, the Ariels took home the cake winning by 16 goals. The story has since been flipped with the Waves coming out victorious by 15 goals this time around.

It was back and forth for the first few minutes, but a turnover quickly shifted the momentum into the Waves’ favour, jumping out to a quick lead and winning the first quarter by six goals. There were a few scrappy plays in the first term with neither side able to settle, but the Ariels had then scored and kept the ball rolling.

Olivia Wilkinson turned up the shooting load this week slotting 26 goals, an improvement from her quieter outings the last few rounds. She had the ball on a string, being able to connect with her middies well and be a strong option outside or inside of the shooting circle. The height of Wilkinson made a better case for her to get the rebounds which she was easily scoring off of.

The defence around the circle edge from Brydi Hutchinson was tight as she tried to win the ball back every time the ball was swung out to a Waves midcourter. Her drives in attack were strong and were able to hit the top of the circle to hit prime feeding position for the Ariels shooters.

The confidence levels were at a high for the Waves extending the lead out at every break.

It seemed as though there was no way of stopping the Waves from scoring, being able to get the ball into either shooter with ease both the goals being shot from distance or under the post.

The fourth term is where the Waves really put their foot down taking that one by five with the help of the overall Waves midcourt. They turned their work rate up a notch winning the ball everywhere and able to feed the ball into the shooters from far.

Ariels tried their hardest to get their second win, but the Waves looked too slick in attack and there was no stopping them with their confidence at an all time high.

VICTORIAN NETBALL LEAGUE ROUND 13 RESULTS – CHAMPIONSHIP

Casey Demons (51) defeated by Geelong Cougars (62)
Melbourne University Lightning (61) defeated Boroondara Express (42)
North East Blaze (68) defeated Wilson Storage Southern Saints (50)
Ariels (51) defeated by Peninsula Waves (66)
City West Falcons (64) defeated Hawks Netball (52)