IT WAS ugly and featured a lack of attacking execution at times, but eight-time consecutive Orange Netball Association champions Robin Hood managed to stifle a fourth-quarter Vipers comeback and secure a two-goal win in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash.
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The two sides were deadlocked on 22 competition points before Saturday’s ninth round, as a result of their win Robin Hood moves into the outright competition lead.
The 35-33 victory over the second-placed Vipers also confirms Robin Hood as 2016 title favourites.
Vipers led at the opening break before Robin Hood took the lead in the second quarter and held it until the end of the game, although the former side gave them a scare, winning the fourth quarter but falling just short of securing a come-from-behind, upset win.
“Our defence was fantastic in the fourth quarter, and all game actually,” Robin Hood coach Cindy Gilchrist said.
“We have a lot of work to do in executing our attacking game plans at the moment.
“We made it hard on ourselves, we had more turnovers, we threw more ball away, we missed more shots … but besides that we’re happy to come away with the win.”
In fact, Robin Hood shot at just 64 per cent in the game, far below their usual lofty mark.
However that wasn’t just on the side’s shooters. It was as much to do with, and Gilchrist noted this, Vipers’ strong defensive performance as anything else.
Em Brotherton and Abby Tilburg were particularly impressive, forcing Robin Hood shooters Erin Johnstone and Millie Wilcox into long, low percentage shots quite often.
“Vipers they were awesome today, they threw everything at us,” Gilchrist said.
While Vipers were better in their attacking circle – shooting at 73 per cent – Robin Hood’s defence proved just as good as their opposition’s. They only allowed Vipers 45 shots, while Robin Hood managed 54, ultimately a crucial factor in the two-goal win.
In a physical encounter, Vipers took an 11-10 lead into the first break however Robin Hood took the lead in the second, boasting a similarly narrow 17-16 lead at half-time.
Robin Hood extended that lead to four at the final break after winning the third quarter 14-11 before Vipers rallied.
They got within one of Robin Hood on three occasions in the final term but the eight-time consecutive champions closed the game out well, sealing the two-goal win.
Sarah Cooper and Sammie Spicer were Robin Hood’s best in the win, while Em Callaway, Brotherton and Tilburg were Vipers’ best.
Thirteen-year-old shooter Millie Wilcox also impressed in Robin Hood’s attacking circle, despite the limited opportunities she was afforded by Brotherton.
Wilcox stood up to the physical test Brotherton gave her and dropped 16 of the 23 attempts she had on goal.
“She’s not even 14 yet, it’s ridiculous where that kid will go,” Gilchrist said.
“They push her around to see what she’s made of but she doesn’t back down, I was really impressed with her [on Saturday] and have been all year.
“Sarah Cooper was outstanding at wing attack in the first half and then at wing defence in the third quarter too, she was fantastic. She’s a little terrior, she just doesn’t stop.
“Really we’re looking at hitting our straps from here on in and if all goes to plan, those games won’t be that close once we do.
“We’re waiting on Kristy Sullivan to come back too and Erin (Johnstone) isn’t really at match fitness yet, so once we have that three-shooter rotation back we’ll be much better off.”
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
