WA cause upset to lead 21/U Nationals after opening day

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Western Australia have made the best possible start to their 2012 21/U National Netball Championship campaign on home soil with two victories to remain undefeated after the opening day of the tournament.

The host’s produced an upset in the opening game of the championships when they defeated New South Wales, who are seeking their fifth straight 21/U Nationals title, 44-38 to the delight of the vocal home crowd.

The adrenaline was pumping for WA as they raced out to an 18-8 advantage at quarter-time before NSW fought back to trail by just three goals at half-time.

Despite both sides making changes to their on-court personnel at the main break, WA fought off a second-half NSW resurgence and held their nerve to finish up six-goal victors.

The loss was made to feel even worse for NSW when shooter Amy Sommerville was carried off the court in the fourth quarter with what appears to be a knee injury and she’s looks unlikely to return to the court at this year’s tournament.

Western Australia backed up their morning performance with a second win for day one when they beat Northern Territory 67-15 in the evening session to top Pool A ahead of New South Wales in second, who backed up to defeat Queensland 67-35.

Queensland will head into day two of the competition in third, behind NSW on goal difference, after their 52-37 victory over the Northern Territory, who are contesting their first 21/U Nationals since 2007, in round one.

Victoria remains the only other undefeated team after the first day of competition as they top Pool B courtesy of victories over South Australia 44-38 and the Australian Capital Territory 65-30.

Last year’s runners-up held off a strong challenge from the South Australians in a traditionally tough fixture however the Victorians were never comfortable in a close contest from start to finish.

The ACT sit in second after claiming their first victory at the 21/U Nationals in two years when they defeated Tasmania 57-37 to conclude the opening round of the tournament at Challenge Stadium in Perth.

South Australia bounced back in their second game of the opening day to beat Tasmania 75-40 to occupy third in Pool B heading into day two, level with ACT on two points but behind on goal difference.

21/U National Netball Championships – Pool A
Round 1
Western Australia (44) defeated New South Wales (38)
Queensland (52) defeated Northern Territory (37)
Round 2
Western Australia (67) defeated Northern Territory (15)
New South Wales (67) defeated Queensland (35)

21/U National Netball Championships – Pool B
Round 1
Victoria (44) defeated South Australia (38)
ACT (57) defeated Tasmania (37)
Round 2
South Australia (75) defeated Tasmania (40)
Victoria (65) defeated ACT (30)