AN EARLY morning start didn’t deter the Rockhampton Leagues Club Capricorn Claws as they extended their unbeaten run to seven.
Showing signs of a hangover after their 20-point win over Golden South Jaguars on Saturday night, the slow-starting Claws defiantly fought back from 10-points down to defeat Carina Leagues Club Tigers 64-48 yesterday morning.
The Tigers’ defensive pressure early in the match caught the Claws off-guard, but the league leaders adjusted their style of play to counter the Tigers’ tactics.
The Claws started their Week 6 campaign with a 64-48 win over the Jaguars, which came off the back of a Rockhampton Leagues Club player of the match performance from goal shooter Kira-Lee Leo.
Out of bed at 5.30am for yesterday’s 8am start, the Claws were slow starters and the Jaguars made the most of it to lead by 10 points at one stage.
The Central Queenslanders clawed back into the contest to trail 28-26 at half-time.
Stepping up their intensity, the Claws dominated during the third quarter outscoring their opponents 15-7 to head into the final break leading 41-35.
From there it was all one-way traffic. The Claws finished off the win to maintain their place at the top of the Queensland State Netball League ladder.
Claws coach Barb Ahmat said the SNL scheduling took some adjusting to.
“It was weird. It was a bit different getting up that early and playing netball,” she said.
“The girls were up having breakfast at 6am and then we headed off to the courts at 7am and then warmed up.”
STATE NETBALL LEAGUE
WEEK 6
Capricorn Claws 56 def Easts Carina Tigers 48 yesterday morning
Capricorn Claws 64 def Golden South Jaguars 48 on Saturday night
If the seven straight wins to start the season wasn’t enough of a boost to their confidence, the Claws head into Saturday fortnight’s crunch match with league leaders Kedron Wavell Services Club Cougars knowing the perennial champions are breakable.
Suncoast Lynx defeated the 2012 and 2013 SNL champions by one point in a thriller on Saturday afternoon.
Ahmat said yesterday’s win over the Tigers was the ideal preparation for their match against the Cougars.
“I’m very glad that we had the hard game today because it was a great way to prepare for the Cougars game,” she said.
“They’re probably the first team we’ve came up against that could stop us from moving the ball up the court quickly.
“Their defence was very strong and we had to make a few adjustments with getting used to the defensive pressure.”