Month: August 2020

Words By Cameron Tenardi. Image Supplied.

USC Thunder faced the Carina Leagues Club Tigers in the second round of the 2020 HART Sapphire Series at NISSAN Arena. Thunder were coming off a very impressive performance against the defending champions in round 1 where they fell only six goals short by the final buzzer. Chloe Bingham (GS) and Josie Hungerford (WD) were promoted to the starting side and were ready to make an impact.

Thunder started with the centre pass but conceded the opening goal. Bingham scored Thunder’s first goals before Lawrie reminded us of how good she is at taking long shots. A couple of errors allowed the Tigers to stretch out to a small lead. Binnian Hunt (GA) and Ash Unie (WD) entered the game after five minutes and immediately Thunder began to look more composed. Thunder draw even with the Tigers and then took the lead with three minutes left in the quarter. Tigers fought back as the quarter ended in an 11-11 draw with both sides sharing the bonus points. The second quarter started low scoring for both teams. Thunder conceded a couple of easy goals after some great ideas fell astray. Thunder called a timeout with nine minutes remaining in the half. Lawrie had missed a couple of shots this quarter but nailed a goal from distance after the T.O and backed it up with another. Hunt also got involved in the goal scoring as Thunder went on a 5-0 run. Tigers called a timeout with under five minutes left. Lawrie scored immediately to even it up before the Tigers finished strong to claim the bonus points.

Ash Unie opened the second half with a crucial intercept from the Tigers centre pass. Thunder scored three of the first four goals of the second half and looked strong. Catling, Woulf and Unie were massive in defence this quarter; all three forcing turnovers for fun. Lawrie had again found her distance and was huge from the goal circle. Thunder clawed back the five-goal deficit they had at half time to move ahead by one. Wilshire’s composure through the middle had allowed both ends of the court to connect wonderfully. This improved performance saw Thunder claim the bonus points with an 11-17 performance and took a one goal lead into the final stanza. Great defence early in the fourth allowed Thunder to take advantage and move ahead by four goals before a Tigers fight back evened it up. Thunder called a timeout with nine minutes to go in the match. It was low scoring after the break, but it was Thunder who claimed three consecutive goals to move ahead prior to a Tigers timeout with under seven minutes remaining. Tigers pulled the lead back to one after their T.O, however Thunder gained control and stretched out to an impressive seven goal lead as the final buzzer sounded.

Thunder were very impressive this match and were most in control when managing their lead late in the final quarter. With 10 points for the victory, two bonus points for each quarter they won and the single bonus point for the drawn first quarter, Thunder can call this a successful result. Thunder will next face the Brisbane North Cougars from USC Stadium on Saturday August 29 at 5pm.

Q1: Tigers 11– Thunder 11

Q2: Tigers 25 (14) – Thunder 20 (9)

Q3: Tigers 36 (11) – Thunder 37 (17)

Q4: Tigers 45 (9) – Thunder 52 (15)

Thunder starting seven: GS – Chloe Bingham, GA – Annabelle Lawrie, WA – Josephine Hungerford, C – Ali Wilshire, WD – Chloe Litherland, GD – Lily-May Catling, GK – Sarahphienna Woulf.

Substitutes: Binnian Hunt, Ashlee Unie, Adrienne Keefe

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 kicked of their 2020 HART Sapphire Series campaign with a tough match-up against the QUT Wildcats at NISSAN Arena. Thunder were hoping to start their season on the front foot with a win over the defending champions. A fresh attacking trio of Annabelle Lawrie (GS), Binnian Hunt (GA) and Ali Wilshier (WA) showed plenty of promise heading into the new season. Chloe Litherland was the starting C, whilst captain Ash Unie played WD ahead of Lily-May Catling (GD) and Sarahphienna Woulf (GK).

Thunder started the game with the centre pass and opened the scoring through Hunt. Lawrie showed early that she was happy to shoot from anywhere in the circle and was stretching the Wildcats defense regularly. The Wildcats responded with some quick goals and had started to pull a lead as Thunder called a time out late in the first quarter. Thunder are strong after the time out and head into the first break only two goals behind. Thunder began the second quarter with some fantastic ball movement, allowing them to go goal-for-goal with the defending champions. Ash Unie completed a mountain of work through the mid-court and was responsible for the increase in energy from her team. Catling had been intercepting for fun this quarter as the Wildcats called a time out with 6 minutes until half time. Thunder concede a couple of quick goals but finish the half only five goals off the lead.

Thunder opened the scoring in the second half through Lawrie as she continued to sink long shots. Thunder were moving the ball a lot through the mid-court and were making some brave passes before the Wildcats smartened up to it. Thunder then started to use the wings to make space as the game remained a tight afair. Some quick scoring each way saw the margin remain five goals. Both sides share the bonus points for a 13-13 quarter. Woulf made an impact early in the final stanza, making two intercepts in as many minutes to put Thunder on the front foot. Thunder scored four of the first five goals to come within two early on. Wildcats called a timeout after only 4 minutes as a result. Both sides went goal for goal until a critical defensive rebound from Woulf allowed Thunder to draw level through a Lawrie goal with under 8 minutes remaining. Wildcats scored some quick goals to stretch out to a lead of four. With four minutes to go, Thunder called a time out. After a small break, Thunder returned to pressuring the wildcats, falling only one goal short of a bonus point.

Thunder played an exceptional game against their much more fancied opponents. This impressive effort sets the standard for a strong season. The girls will be brimming with confidence heading into their next match against the Tigers at NISSAN Arena on August 23.

Q1: Wildcats 14 – Thunder 12

Q2: Wildcats 28 (14) – Thunder 23 (11)

Q3: Wildcats 41 (13) – Thunder 36 (13)

Q4: Wildcats 50 (9) – Thunder 44 (8)

Thunder starting seven: GS – Annabelle Lawrie, GA – Binnian Hunt, WA – Ali Wilshier, C – Chloe Litherland, WD – Ashlee Unie, GD – Lily-May Catling, GK – Sarahphienna Woulf.

Substitutes: Chloe Bingham, Josephine Hungerford, Adrienne Keefe.

Next match

Tigers vs Thunder, NISSAN Arena, Sunday 23^rd August, 7:00PM

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