South Coast Blaze's opens and under 23s sides bounced back emphatically from first-up defeats to both secure wins over the Panthers on Wednesday night.
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After falling to ERNA Hawks in both grades in round one, the Blaze responded perfectly to notch up victories and get on the NSW Premier League board for 2022.
Marji Parr's opens side had to overcome a strong challenge to seal their opening win, prevailing 57-53.
A great defensive effort, including two rebounds from goalkeeper Aisha Bower, saw the Blaze take an early 4-0 lead. Both teams then scored goal for goal until centre Katelyn Anderson took a beautiful intercept which aided the Blaze in scoring three quick goals to push their lead out to six.
With a Panthers goal right on the first quarter buzzer, the Blaze finished the term leading 14-8.
Both teams came out strongly in the second, with each team scoring in the first 30 seconds. After great starts by centre Katelyn Anderson and and wing attack Chelsea Bolton, the attacking end was switched up during the quarter, with Taylah Davies and Gabby Eaton joining the game.
The Blaze maintained their lead throughout the second quarter to lead 32-24 at half time.
It was a slow start to the third quarter with no team scoring in the first two minutes. After a few errors from both teams, the Panthers brought the margin down to four points, but it slipped back to eight (43-35) by the end of the third quarter.
The Panthers then found some consistency in their attacking end, making for an exciting start to the fourth quarter. Panthers reduced the lead to two points, leaving the Blaze with a battle on their hands.
The Blaze fought hard throughout the quarter and were able to maintain their lead, finishing the game with a four-point win.
In the earlier game, South Coast's under 23s were in great form, with Regan Tweddle's side recording a 70-34 victory over the Panthers.
It was a quick start to the match as both teams coming out firing. After a few error from both sides, Blaze took the first break of the game in the eighth minute.
The Blaze began to find their rhythm halfway into the quarter and the shooting combination of GA Mia Evans and GS Papi Alaalatoa capitalised, on this with the Blaze taking a 10-goal lead (17-7) into the first break.
South Coast made some changes to the attacking end in the second term with GA Manaia Mete and WA Lindsay Tui joining the game.
With the first centre pass of the second quarter, Blaze moved quickly, scoring in the first 15 seconds. This led to a four-goal shooting streak, increasing Blaze's lead to 14.
The quick releases from Blaze's attacking end made it almost impossible for the Panthers, finishing the second quarter with a 36-19 lead.
Panthers scored first in the third quarter, but the Blaze were out to fight after going down by just two goals in the previous round.
The Blaze continued to dominate in the third quarter, closing it out with a 53-27 point lead.
South Coast then Blaze closed out the game in quality fashion, continuing to increase their lead throughout the fourth quarter. The combination of Mete and Alaalatoa were impossible to defend as they worked the goal circle seamlessly.
The Blaze stuck to their game plan and closed the game out with a 36-goal win.
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