SOUTH Coast Blaze's under 23s team recorded their second win of the 2021 Netball NSW Premier League campaign on Wednesday, by downing the ERNA Hawks 54-35.
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Illawarra young gun Gabby Eaton made her Premier League debut at wing-defence and had an impact right at the start, creating a turnover in the first 30 seconds.
The Blaze, who defeated Capital Spirit in round one before losing to North Shore United, scored the first two goals, taking the lead 5-2 after six minutes.
Aimee Landrigan pulled down a strong rebound but Blaze let the Hawks back in to lead by two, as the score was 7-5 with five minutes remaining.
A sharp hold from Ky-Mani Schwenke was seen and delivered by Emily Dunn.
The Hawks snuck into the lead in the closing stages, with a score of 12-11 at the end of the first quarter.
Mia Evans started the second quarter in goal-attack, teaming up with Ky-Mani Schwenke.
A rocket circle edge feed from Kiah Yealland to Ky-Mani Schwenke evened the score early but passing errors let the Blaze down.
Gabby Eaton was on fire with her handling and forced a baseline turnover for the Blaze, which Mia Evans was unable to convert.
Ky-Mani Schwenke helped out with the next two goals, which saw the Blaze go up 16-14.
Halfway through the quarter, Bronnee Loy's first appearance for the game saw her replace Kiah Yealland at centre - who was having a physical running battle with the Hawks' centre.
Mia Evans nailed a handy goal from the two-point, to lead 22-16.
Ky-Mani Schwenke pulled in the last highball and dropped the goal, for a 24-18 half time lead.
It was goal for goal, during the early stages of the third quarter but the Blaze started pulling away.
Sharnee Behr came on for Jessica Bowden in goal-defence.
The Blaze led 30-22 five minutes into the quarter.
Quick work from the attacking end saw the Blaze hit a 10-goal lead for the first time.
Gabby Eaton used an outside arm but could not quite reel it in.
Abbey Baker worked hard on a give and go, with the Blaze leading 34-23.
With two minutes left, Emily Dunn came on in at wing-attack for Abbey Baker and Mackenzie Farrow as goal-shooter for Ky-Mani Schwenke.
Emily Dunn with an amazing circle edge feed to Mackenzie Farrow was the last goal of the quarter, with thanks to a flying disruption from Aimee Landrigan.
The Blaze pulled ahead, going into the fourth quarter up 40-28.
South Coast pressed on in the fourth quarter, pushing out to 18 goals.
Chloe Burden came on in at goal-keeper for Aimee Landrigan and Kiah Yelland came back in centre for Bronnee Loy.
With just under five minutes remaining, the Blaze led 52 to 31 - with solid service to Mackenzie Farrow.
Chloe Burden read a bounce pass to the shooters well but unfortunately gave it straight back.
Kiah Yealland and the Hawks' centre continued to go at each other and unfortunately, the Blaze talent got the offensive contact - as the Hawks got it back to 18 goals.
Sharnee Behr with a strong three-feet secured a turnover, and her Illawarra junior teammate Mia Evans nailed her longest shot of the night.
The Blaze held up Hawks long enough to stop one last goal and came away with a 19 goal win.
The commentator's most valuable player went to Gabby Eaton, who had a great debut match with a full game at wing-defence.
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Courtney Ward
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
