NOTHING went right for Royal Hawks in their loss to Robin Hood last Saturday which left captain-coach Amanda Hurford immeasurably frustrated, but it also made it easy to write the game off.
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The two blues’ focus is now entirely on Saturday’s penultimate Orange Netball Association Toyota Cup regular season round game against the Vipers – a second versus fourth blockbuster.
“We’ve wiped that Robin Hood game completely, it just wasn’t our day,” Hurford laughed.
“Taking nothing away from Robin Hood, they were outstanding, but everything we tried didn’t work and passes weren't sticking and that sort of thing, it was just an off day.
“So we’re looking forward now to the Vipers game and bouncing back with, hopefully, a good win.
“It’ll be another hard test for us, Vipers have been outstanding all year.”
Even though they’ve put the loss down as an anomaly, Hurford said bouncing back from the 27-goal thumping at the hands of the competition leaders and eight-time consecutive champions is paramount.
“The finals are only a few weeks away, around the corner really,” she said.
“It is really important for us to get back to our best and not repeat that performance, we don’t want to go into that final round game on the back of two losses but more importantly, on the back of two not so great performances.”
Hurford said there is no single key to taking down Vipers, who in just their second year in the competition have become a premiership force thanks to versatility across the court.
While Hawks boast plenty of firepower, stopping the consistent shooters, speedy mid-courters and physical defensive players on show for Vipers will be a test for the two blues.
“They really are just a very strong side across the court,” Hurford said of the black and teals.
“Having Abby Tilburg back now too really helps them in the defensive end, she’s a very, very good player.
“But you look at their mid-court players and shooter and there isn’t really a weakness there.
“Their shooters have been on fire this season as well. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Hawks need to win to hold on to second spot as third placed Life Studio are surging in the back end of the year.
Hawks take on Vipers from 2.30pm.
In Saturday’s other Toyota Cup fixtures Life Studio plays Robin Hood Craig Harvey Mechanical (1.10pm), OHS High A takes on Robin Hood (2.30pm) and Life Studio Mid West Eyes play KWS 1sts (3.50pm).