City West Falcons proved too good in a top-of- the-table Victorian Netball League clash last Wednesday.
The ladder-leading Falcons defeated second-placed Boroondara Genesis by eight goals at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
In a match where both teams rested several key players, City West took control early and built a four-goal lead by quarter-time.
With Kath Knott continuing her outstanding form in goals, the Falcons charged away through the next two quarters, with the margin growing to 10 by the final break.
However, a minor ankle injury to Knott, which led to her being rested for the fourth quarter, slowed City West’s progress and allowed Genesis to fight back in the last term.
Boroondara won the quarter by two goals, but it wasn’t enough to topple the Falcons who were able to secure a 51-43 win.
City West coach Marg Lind said it was a hard game to evaluate given both sides were missing key players.
Alice Teague-Neeld was out for the Falcons, while Melbourne Vixen Erin Hoare missed for Genesis.
“We were happy to come away with the win,” Lind said.
“At the same time, both sides didn’t have full line-ups. It’s hard to make a judgment on that performance.
“They threw their team around fairly regularly. It’s hard to ascertain what an actual game between the two full teams will be like.”
Despite her injury, Knott still finished with a game-high 33 goals.
City West is four games clear at the top of the VNL ladder with a perfect 16-0 record. With just two games until the finals, the Falcons will need to beat seventh-placed Yarra Valley and third-placed Peninsula Waves to complete an undefeated home and away campaign.
Lind said while her players didn’t want to think about the “streak”, she had discussed it during a recent training session.
“The issue when you go through not losing a game at this point is you can become your own worst enemy,” she said.
“We talked about a few what ifs. What if we aren’t leading going into the last quarter? What if someone gets on top of us?
“I think it was important to talk through those issues.”
