Month: September 2019

Words By Cameron Tenardi. Image Supplied.

Round 12 of the HART Sapphire Series saw USC Thunder travel to QSNC for an allocated away game against QUT Wildcats. Thunder fielded an unchanged line-up for the first time this season and were hoping that the continuity would allow them to challenge their second placed opponents.

The first quarter started as a close affair after the scoring was opened by Thunder thanks to an early turnover. The two sides battled it out early before the Wildcats made the most of some Thunder errors to take a lead into the first break. The second quarter began with some fantastic defensive efforts from the Thunder, including a perfectly executed intercept from Ash Unie which put the team on the front foot. This allowed Thunder to go on a run of four consecutive goals and brought them back within reach of the lead. Thunder called a tactical timeout with seven minutes to go in the half, bringing Ruby Series player Abbie Mischke on for a stint at GA, and returning Sarahpheinna Woulf to GD after she had made way for Lily-May Catling earlier in the game. Wildcats were too strong after the timeout and stretched out the lead by the half time break. Thunder GS Jesse Wardlaw was having a great match so far, scoring all 14 of the team’s goals and was yet to miss a shot.

Thunder came out firing in the second half, scoring three consecutive goals and playing with improved cohesion. Josie Hungerford came off the court with a potential muscle injury which saw Chloe Litherland move to WA and Nicole Guenther enter the game at C. Thunder continued to look strong throughout the third quarter, and their chances were being converted by Jesse Wardlaw who had once again not missed a goal in this stanza of the game, scoring 10 goals from as many attempts. Thunder looked far better this quarter and challenged the much more fancied Wildcats, only falling one goal short of a bonus point. Thunder were energised after their strong performance in the third quarter and looked just as good in the fourth. Woulf, Litherland, Guenther and Unie’s involvement through the middle of the court were all impressive and they were only getting better. It was another close quarter which saw Thunder fall only three goals short; only losing the second half by four. Wardlaw was phenomenal all throughout the game, scoring 11 goals from 12 attempts in the final quarter and a total of 35 from 36 despite being heavily marked.

Thunder have a bye for round 13 before returning to QSNC for an allocated away game against the Ipswich Jets. This will be the final round of the regular season and Thunder’s last game this season.

Q1: Wildcats 14 – Thunder 8

Q2: Wildcats 27 (13) – Thunder 14 (6)

Q3: Wildcats 41 (14) – Thunder 27 (13)

Q4: Wildcats 56 (15) – Thunder 39 (12)

Thunder starting seven: GS – Jesse Wardlaw, GA – Courtney Murphy, WA – Josephine Hungerford, C – Chloe Litherland, WD – Ashlee Unie, GD – Sarahpheinna Woulf, GK – Sienna Allen.

Substitutes: Abbie Mischke, Nicole Guenther, Lily-May Catling

Next match

Jets vs Thunder, QSNC, Sunday 22^nd September, 3:20PM

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 Supplied.

USC Thunder hosted the Northern Rays at QSNC in round 11 of the HART Sapphire Series over the weekend. Thunder defeated the Rays earlier in the season and were hoping to back it up with another win. Jesse Wardlaw at GS was a welcome return to the side after missing the previous round due to AFLW commitments and was joined in the goal circle by Courtney Murphy. Josephine Hungerford started at WA, Chloe Litherland returned at C after starting last week on the bench, whilst Ash Unie remained at WD after a strong run of form. Sarahpheinna Woulf swapped to GD this week and lined up alongside GK Sienna Allen.

Jesse Wardlaw opened the scoring for Thunder who took a small lead and held it for the majority of the first quarter. Rays took the advantage late and finished strong to claim the quarter by two and continued to score well as the second quarter started, stretching out to a five-goal lead. However, with nine minutes remaining Thunder called a tactical timeout and returned to the court substantially stronger, outscoring the Rays 10 goals to 4 to close out the half. Thunder claimed their first bonus points of the match, winning the quarter by three and taking a one goal lead.

Woulf and Allen were strong in defence in the first half and only improved throughout the second, forcing numerous turnovers and allowing quick movement through to the goal circle. Thunder found their rhythm and began scoring freely. Improved cohesion in the goal circle and plenty of opportunities from Litherland, Unie, and Hungerford in midcourt allowed Thunder to stretch out to a 12-goal lead at the final break. The fourth quarter started close, but Thunder soon extended their advantage further. Their fantastic work in defence continued to cause problems for the Rays who simply struggled to move the ball. Catling and Guenther seamlessly entered the game at GD and WD as Thunder comfortably closed out the quarter and the match. Wardlaw shot superbly at GS all game and was complimented by Murphy, who assisted in many of her goals and scored a few of her own.

The dominant result by Thunder saw them claim 16 of a possible 18 points, collecting 10 points for the win and two bonus points from three of the four quarters. Thunder should be happy with the win as it saw them return to the winner’s circle after a lean run. Round 12 sees Thunder go head to head with the QUT Wildcats and will enter the game with a renewed sense of belief after this impressive result.

Q1: Thunder 11 – Rays 13

Q2: Thunder 23 (12) – Rays 22 (9)

Q3: Thunder 41 (18) – Rays 29 (7)

Q4: Thunder 57 (16) – Rays 39 (10)

Thunder starting seven: GS – Jesse Wardlaw, GA – Courtney Murphy, WA – Josephine Hungerford, C – Chloe Litherland, WD – Ashlee Unie, GD – Sarahpheinna Woulf, GK – Sienna Allen.

Substitutes: Abbie Mischke, Nicole Guenther, Lily-May Catling

Next match

Wildcats vs Thunder, QSNC, Saturday 7^th September, 7:20PM

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