IT took a good old-fashioned bake from coach Marg Lind to wake the City West Falcons from their first-quarter slumber, eventually beating the Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels (44-35) on Wednesday night in a low-scoring clash.
After a lacklustre opening and the Falcons trailing 2-7 early in the first quarter, an Ariels time out allowed Lind to provide some verbal inspiration.
“I gave them a blast, we were a bit complacent,” Lind said.
“I noticed during the warm-up the girls were a little casual, and Yarra came out hard.
“I told them a few home truths, and they responded; they pulled their finger out.”
Lind was also a little surprised to see her daughter, goal attack Maggie Lind, being judged best on ground, despite shooting only 12 goals with 57 per cent scoring efficiency.
“I wouldn’t have given her the votes,” Lind laughed.
“She actually said that to me: ‘How did I win best on ground?’
“She didn’t get the votes in our team. Her last quarter stats hurt her. I think she shot two from seven (attempts).”
However, Lind praised her work further up the court.
“She feeds (goal shooter) Kath (Knott) better than anyone,” she said.
“However, her work ethic in bringing the ball down court was very good. Our wings were a little conservative.”
Knott maintained her spot in the top bracket of the Hot Shot Award, netting 30 points with 80 per cent accuracy.
Lind said she would let the Falcons have a rest this weekend, cancelling their court and weights sessions, before their round 15 match against Ballarat University.
“The girls have had a big schedule this year,” she said.
Meanwhile, VU Western Lightning defeated Ballarat Pride 49-34.
