WANL 2023: Late surge not enough for Souwest Jets to claim victory over West Coast Warriors

Despite a solid comeback effort during the last quarter, the Souwest Jets have been left chasing their first win of the season for another week after falling short to the West Coast Warriors by seven goals.

The Jets returned to the Gold Netball Centre on Friday where they faced off against the West Coast Warriors during the WANL’s Belt Up round.

While Jen Brown and Cassie Farquhar-Reid were back for the Jets after being absent last week, Lisa Millman made her return to the court for the team.

Keen to make a strong start, the Jets were piling on the pressure from the first centre pass while Merene Peyper managed the first two goals of the night.

While the Warriors took almost three minutes to get their first score of the match, it did not take long for them to come firing back to take the lead.

While Peyper continued an impressive effort in goal attack with a strong deflection and Ella Eastaugh put the pressure on the Warriors’ Kellie Baker, shooter Giselle Taylor struggled to convert with a number of flat shots missing the hoop.

Needing to adapt, Millman took to the court and made an immediate impact, working with Peyper to shave the margin down to six goals at quarter time.

The Warriors were quick to take control during the second quarter, employing rapid passes with the combination of Kassidy Withers and Hana Stokes proving deadly for the Jets.

While Claire Pickerill managed a good defensive rebound, the Jets’ efforts to make the long court transition was thwarted by the Warriors, who held strong to blow the lead out to 30-19 at half time.

Following the main break, the Jets made a fast start to the second half with the combination of Ashleigh Weyer and Brooke O’Connor mounting the pressure on the Warriors early on.

While the Jets made three consecutive goals in a bid to shave the margin down and Farquhar-Reid put up a solid effort in the midcourt, the Jets found themselves struggling to convert late, trailing by 11 goals at the final change.

With midcourter Elycce Webb making an impact in centre during the early stages of the final quarter, the Jets continued fighting hard to chase down the Warriors.

Although the Jets managed to outscore the Warriors 14-10 for the term, it was not enough to claim victory, going down 52-46.

In the 20 and Under competition, the Warriors defeated the Jets 66-41.