The Gold Coast Titans Netball Sapphire team are one step closer to securing their spot in the Hart Sapphire Series Finals. A 55 – 36 point win against the Brisbane South Wildcats was the momentum changer the Titans needed, as they showed once again why there are championship contenders.
It was a tight and contested start to the game, as the Wildcats made the Titans fight for every ball. Captain Kristen Oxenford provided direction and consistency in the attacking end, continued on by Olivia Dijkstra and Abigail Meafou who both stood strong in the shooting circle to give their team a 14 – 10 lead heading into the first quarter break.
Dakota Newson entered the game in the second quarter, providing the speed that was needed to break the game apart. Defenders Bryah Gafa, Emily Gilbert and Bayley D’Hotman De Villers were all in their best form, picking off Wildcats balls throughout the court, pushing the Titans forward heading into half time.
However, the job wasn’t over and the Gold Coast Titans sapphire side knew they needed to push their lead forward to secure their spot on the competition ladder. Despite a few scattered passages of play in the third quarter, strong defensive efforts that were converted into critical goals from the Titans helped hold their lead against the tiring Wildcats.
Goal Attack Leah Pue was introduced into the game in the third quarter and provided a spark in attack that the Titans needed, which helped the side extend their lead in the final term.
The Gold Coast Titans found more consistency in the final quarter, piecing together their swift passages of play in attack and continuing on in their suffocating defensive structure. This allowed 10-point lead to be pushed out, as they finished the game comfortably ahead with a near 20-point margin.
The side will look to build on this performance next Sunday in their final home game of the season, to fight for their spot in the top 4. The Titans take on the USC Thunder, which is set to be the game of the season as the stakes are as high as they have been this season.
In the Ruby Series league, the Titans didn’t have as much success as they went down to the Carina Leagues Club Tigers 74 – 30. Missing a number of their key players due to illness and Australian Netball commitments, the Gold Coast Titans needed a big effort to overtake the Ruby Competition leaders.
The Tigers claimed their lead early on in the game, making it a tough fight back for the Titans. Fortunately, the Gold Coast Titans Ruby side have secured their spot in finals, so will look to return in better form next week as they prepare for the finals campaign.
Both teams will be playing on home turf at Carrara Stadium in the final regular round game of the season. The Sapphire series team kick off the day against the Sunshine Coast’s USC Thunder at 2pm, with the Ruby Series side looking to defend their ‘Gold Coast’ title against the Bond University Bullsharks at 4pm.
It is set to be a blockbuster afternoon of Netball, so don’t miss out on securing your tickets to the only remaining home game of the year!
