NETBALL
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ROYAL Hawks and Vipers go head-to-head today in a potential preview of the Orange Netball Association’s minor semi-final should both gun sides continue on their current rate in 2015.
Hawks sit in third on this year’s ladder after seven rounds, and clash with one of the Toyota Cup’s newest sides in the form of the fourth-placed Vipers, led by the likes of representative veterans Jacky Lyden, Sheryll Selwood and Teigan Colley.
Hawks, on 18 points, have won five of their seven games to begin the year.
One of the competition’s most improved outfits, Royal Hawks will be desperate to account for Vipers (13 points) today in a bid to maintain touch with the likes of defending champions Robin Hood (21 points) and a new-look Life Studio, who are also on 18 points but ahead of Hawks on goal differential.
Vipers, however, have secured victory in just three of their opening games to sit on the edge of the division one top four as the likes of High A and KWS 1sts, on 13 and 11 points respectively, mount bids to claim the final place in the competition’s semi-final standings.
One game already completed out of round eight is the Hawks BCC and Forefront clash.
Much like their last encounter in round one, the two luckless outfits battled for the majority of the low-scoring contest only for Hawks BCC to come away with a 38-36 win, notching up the second victory of the season for the two blues.
“The only other game we’ve won this year was also against Forefront,” Hawks BCC goal attack Michelle Gillette said.
“So it’s good for the girls’ confidence to be able to get another win. We’ve come up from twos (second division) this year and it’s been a hard slog.
“There’s a lot of skilled sides in the competition this year so we’ll see how we go over the course of the rest of the year.”
Vipers and Royal Hawks kick off at 2.30pm, while High A and Life Studio will begin at the same time.
Robin Hood’s clash with KWS 1sts is the late game, with the first centre pass from 3.50pm.