The three-week school holiday break did nothing to slow down the juggernaut that is Orange City, the Lions scoring their ninth straight win as the 2017 season resumed on Saturday.
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The Lions maintained their unbeaten status and place atop the Orange Netball Association Toyota Cup standings, accounting for clubmates Orange City Newey’s Drive-Thru Cleaners by 13 goals.
They did so without mid-court stars Tegan Dray and Lauren Williams too, while Sarah Thorley could only play half the game too.
Dray was rested from the game, while Thorley had other coaching commitments.
Williams did too, she coaches the Newey’s Drive-Thru Cleaners side and because of that, stands down from playing commitments when the two sides face off.
Still, while the 47-34 win looks reasonably comfortable on paper it was anything but, Orange City coach Cindy Gilchrist said.
“They pushed us and really made us think about the way we were playing. They’re a young, fit, enthusiastic side and did a really good job,” she said.
The fact her side could still get the job done with so many new combinations is a massive plus for Gilchrist too.
“We had a lot of players playing out of position, it took plenty of them out of their comfort zones,” she explained.
“We had shooters and defenders in the mid-court, like Milly Wilcox playing wing attack for a lot of the game and as you can imagine having those mid-court players out did make things a little bit disjointed.
“But yes, it is a big positive everyone else could adapt to that.
“But that’s not taking away from [Newey’s Drive-Thru Cleaners], they were outstanding again.
“It was a low-scoring game, it was 23-15 at half-time, which is testament to both sides’ defensive ends, the fact we were so tall played a big factor in it I think.”
While the victory maintains the Lions’ dominance, it was a big blow to the Newey’s Drive-Thru Cleaners side’s finals hopes.
They’re now five points adrift of the top four. Although they have a good run coming up, it’s a big gap to make up.
It’s one fourth-placed Life Studio widened from three points thanks to a 45-33 win over Hawks Central Fitness.
In Saturday’s other results, Life Studio Mid West Eyes lost out to Vipers (49-36) while second-placed Royal Hawks accounted for Kinross by 27 goals, winning 58-31.