Month: July 2019

Words By Cameron Tenardi. Image Supplied

Round 5 of the HART Sapphire series saw USC Thunder travel to North Queensland to take on the Northern Rays at Townsville Stadium. After four rounds, the two sides sit 4^thand 7^thon the ladder respectively and both vying for as many points possible to enhance their ladder placing.  

The start of the game was a close affair with the two sides going goal-for-goal in the first five minutes before Rays took a two-goal lead midway through the first quarter. Some great Thunder defence in Nicole Guenther (WD), Ashlee Unie (GD) and Lily-May Catling (GK), forced multiple turnovers, but some early desperation to score goals saw a number of passes not getting to their intended targets. Rays were not able to take full advantage and only held a two-goal lead throughout the quarter. They finished 13-11 at the break, with the Rays’ scoring their first bonus points for the season. 

The second quarter was almost all Thunder as they came out firing, scoring three quick goals and taking the lead of the match after only a couple of minutes. Thunder’s defensive efforts from the first quarter remained and they then began to capitalise on their opportunities. Some better passes to the circle and precision shooting from Ellie Bird (GS) and Abbie Mischke (GA), allowed Thunder to stretch out to a four-goal lead. Thunder further extended their lead out to 7 before Rays forced a couple of turnovers and scored some quick goals of their own towards the end of the quarter. The girls remained calm to stop the Rays offence, allowing Thunder to go into the half time break with a five-goal lead. Thunder won the quarter by seven goals, taking their first bonus points for the match.

The third quarter saw the home side fast out of the blocks, trying to close the gap created by the Thunder. They continued to pressure, scoring 8 goals to 3 approaching midway through the quarter. The scores were even at 31 apiece before Thunder stretched their lead back out to two. Thunder called a timeout shortly after with the scores at 32-34. They remained strong after play resumed, scoring seven goals to Rays’ one to close the quarter. Thunder won the quarter by three to gain the bonus points and held an eight-point advantage heading into the final break.

Rays again came out firing early in the fourth, scoring 5 goals to 2 after only four minutes, but Thunder held steady to maintain a 6-goal lead as both sides continued to pressure. The teams were defending well so scoring had slowed midway through the quarter, but some fantastic netball was on display. Thunder began forcing turnovers which appeared to break the Rays fortitude, allowing USC to score a couple of quick goals, stretching their lead to 9. The home side then called a timeout with under three minutes remaining in the game. Thunder were again strong after the timeout, stretching their lead to twelve at the final buzzer. They won the quarter by four goals to take their third lot of bonus points for the game.

Thanks to the match victory and wins in three of the four quarters, Thunder picked up a total of 16 competition points. They showed great resolve to not only come from behind after the first quarter, but to absorb immense pressure from the Rays numerous times throughout the game. Thunder also had a number of Ruby players debut for the Sapphire side, with Abbie Mischke, Ainslee O’Connell, Josephine Bingham and Rachael Wright all taking the court throughout the game with great displays from all of them. 

Q1: Rays 13 – Thunder 11

Q2: Rays 23 (10) – Thunder 28 (17)

Q3: Rays 33 (10) – Thunder 41 (13)

Q4: Rays 44 (11) – Thunder 56 (15)

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Sapphire Series or its clubs

Words By Madeleine Dowling. Image supplied.

After significantly injuring her knee playing netball in 2018’s pre-season, USC Thunder’s Sarahpheinna Woulf has made a comeback to the sport, training amongst Australia’s finest. Returning to elite sport after injury is no mean feat, and 19-year-old Woulf has tackled it head-on, playing in the 2019 Hart Sapphire Series and being selected as talent for an AIS training camp earlier this month.At the AIS the talented teen engaged in off-court education sessions about personal brands, nutrition, and the World Cup, as well as playing with the England under 19’s.

“It was a really good experience to have high quality coaches and also have the Australian under 21 coach there and play against international teams,” Miss Woulf said.
“It’s a good way for us to learn while we’re still young.”

The training took place in Canberra over the first weekend in July and facilitated a squad of 26 players, all qualified to trial for the Australian under 21 World Cup team. Despite Woulf’s initial nerves about her return, determination and her heart of gold are paving the way for a “bright future”.

“I was nervous about how I would perform,” Miss Woulf said.
“My speed and my explosiveness weren’t there for me, and for me that’s a big part of my game, “It took me a while to find that spark again and find my feet again and just find the way I play.”

USC Thunder’s Operations Manager, Emma Wakefield, believes greatness is ahead of the youngster.

“Sarahpheinna has a great presence on and off court,” Ms Wakefield said.
“Being signed by the Lightning at age 17 is testament to the bright future ahead of Fina.”

Since making her comeback Woulf hasn’t slowed down, volunteering her time to coach Net-set-go teams and run netball clinics for children.

“For me to help other kids and see that they’re having fun and smiling honestly just makes me very happy,” Miss Woulf said.

Following rehabilitation processes and listening to her body’s needs allowed Woulf to make such a comeback to her sport.

“Definitely do your rehab,” Miss Woulf said.
“Even if you have one day off or two days off it’s going to really set you back more.”

Ms Wakefield said “anything is possible” for injured players who can put in the work to rehabilitate.

“Coming back from an injury, whilst a setback, presents an opportunity for an athlete to return to their strongest, both physically and mentally,” Ms Wakefield said.

This season of the Hart Sapphire Series netball is sure to be just the beginning of an exciting career for Sarahpheinna.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Sapphire Series or its clubs

Words By Cameron Tenardi. Image By ADFX

The USC Thunder took on the North Brisbane Cougars in the Ruby Series on Sunday afternoon at USC Stadium.

The Thunder and the Cougars had an intense and high-quality battle through the opening quarter with the home side falling only one short of sharing the bonus points heading into the first break.

A quiet second quarter saw defence take centre stage as only 21 points were scored over the entire 15-minute period. Cougars picked up the bonus points after bettering Thunder by 5.

The cougars came out firing in the third, scoring 11 points to Thunder’s 5 mid-way through the quarter. Thunder were creating opportunities but struggled to convert, allowing the Cougars to take advantage. Thunder rallied towards the back end of the quarter to slow down the oppositions scoring, but the Cougars again took the bonus points as they headed into the three-quarter time break.

A frantic start to the fourth quarter saw 13 points scored in under five minutes. Both sides were scoring quickly with Thunder behind 5 points to 8. The remainder of the quarter had the teams score 8 points apiece, allowing the visitors to take the bonus points again and claim the victory.

Q1: Thunder 15 – Cougars 16

Q2: Thunder 23 (8) – Cougars 29 (13)

Q3: Thunder 36 (13) – 49 (20)

Q4: Thunder 49 (13) – Cougars 65 (16)

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Sapphire Series or its clubs

Words By Cameron Tenardi. Image By ADFX

USC Thunder played their first ever Sapphire Series home game on Sunday July 7^th, delivering a promising performance against a polished Brisbane North Cougars side.

Thunder were slow out of the gates in the first quarter as they conceded 3 early points before scoring one of their own, falling to 2-10 after only seven and a half minutes. They steadied the ship from there, rallying to remain in contact at the close of the first quarter, finishing 10 points to 17 and setting the groundwork for an enjoyable game.

The second quarter was a much closer affair with both teams going point for point. They scored 17 apiece, sharing the bonus points for the quarter with the overall gap remaining 7 in favour of the Cougars.

Thunder came out firing in the third, opening the quarter with four consecutive points to close the gap to three after only three minutes. Cougars continued to feel the pressure as Thunder multiple turnovers to outscore the Brisbane side by 7 and picked up the bonus points for the quarter. Thunder had the crowd roaring as their impressive ball movement and defensive efforts allowed them to draw even on points with the Cougars heading into the 3-quarter time break.

A couple of early turnovers in the 4^th quarter saw Thunder gift opportunities to the Cougars who took full advantage of them, taking a two-point lead after five minutes. Thunder tried their best to gain those points back, but a few more errors under pressure saw the Cougars take the quarter by seven points, claiming the game by the same margin.

Despite losing the game, Thunder should take plenty of positives from this performance. They really took the fight to visiting side through the middle of the game and had the healthy home crowd on the edge of their seats entering the fourth quarter.

Thanks to a draw in the second quarter and a win the third, Thunder also picked up 3 bonus points which may come in handy towards finals time.

Q1: Thunder 10 – Cougars 17

Q2: Thunder 27 (17) – Cougars 34 (17)

Q3: Thunder 44 (17) – 44 (10)

Q4: Thunder 53 (9) – Cougars 60 (16)

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Sapphire Series or its clubs