Another week and another win for City West Falcons in the Victorian Netball League championship division.
On a 10-game winning streak, the Falcons came out firing against eighth-placed Monash University Storm.
An eight-goal lead at the first break set the tone for the rest of the game for the Falcons.
The City West side scored at least 15 goals in every quarter and despite being out-scored in the third, won 65-50.
Falcons’ coach Marg Lind mixed her combinations, making changes at every break and changing it up mid-quarter, too.
Without Jane Cook, on Australian Netball League duties, most of the shooting was left to Kath Knott and Julia Woolley. Knott was again the star, shooting 47 goals at 91 per cent, while Woolley chipped in with 17 goals. Division 1 shooter Tahnysha Salanoa was given a chance in the final quarter to play in championship division for the first time this season, and she scored one goal.
Knott was adjudged ‘best on court’, while Maggie Lind and Woolley also received votes.
Lind leads the championship division’s most valuable player award, polling votes in every game. She has polled 40, eight clear of Melbourne University’s Gabrielle Sinclair.
Knott is fourth in the voting, 15 behind Lind, while the Falcons remain a game clear on top of the ladder.
In division 1, the Falcons suffered a rare loss: 44-41 to the Storm.
After trailing by three goals at half-time, the Falcons were unable to bridge the gap in the second half. The loss means the two sides switch positions, the Storm moving into second spot.
The Falcons’ under-19s won 53-38 to maintain their lead atop the ladder.
All three Falcons teams face Geelong Cougars this week.
Meanwhile, Cook has played a major role in Victorian Fury’s ANL title defence.
In the semi-finals on Saturday, Cook scored 23 goals in the Fury’s win over Western Sting, helping his side seal a grand final spot.
In Sunday’s grand final against NSW Waratahs, she was the stand-out shooter in the 53-46 win.
Cook shot 46 goals from 52 attempts.
