Under 19s: Improved Monash push high-flying Falcons

It was a David and Goliath match-up that didn’t quite go the way of the Biblical plotline, with City West overcoming Monash by 13 goals last Wednesday night at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.

Yet it didn’t stop Central giving the Falcons an almighty second-half scare in a much-improved performance for the young MUC side.

The match seemed headed for the way it was predicted when the Falcons piled on 15 and 13 goals in their opening two quarters to lead by 13 goals at half time.

Yet with the score line set to blow out at 28-15, Monash played some inspired netball as Monash outscored their opponents 12-9 in the third quarter.

Some inspired defensive work from Alice Ditchfield and rejunvenated Goal Defence Ramayer Gourley.

Gourley’s move to defence was an proved a superb move from coach Robynn Pym in initially disrupting, then shutting down the Falcon’s goalers shooting

Tayla Kearns and Jamie Collins were excellent through the mid-court; their passing display above and beyond the displays of previous weeks.

Add to that, some inspired shooting from MUC goalers Rhys Carter-Coleman (17 from 23) and Natalie Billings (20 from 25) had City West in some nervous areas as Monash drew within six of the lead.

Only some classy finishing from the Falcons in junk time gave some flattery to the margin against a Monash side that conceded -3 goals after quarter time.

Coach Pym told monashuniversitycentral.com.au said she was pleasantly surprised by how her young side responded after quarter time.

“To be honest, I wasn’t expecting a close match result wise, more just on how we executed our own game,” Pym said.

“To only drop another 3 goals from the first break, it was really pleasing.

“I’m really excited about how hard the girls are working and getting their rewards.

“Hopefully we can keep up this momentum and this level of improvement for the last six weeks of the season.”

Monash now face the fifth-placed UB Ballarat Pride in a very winnable game on Wednesday night; Court 1 at the State Netball & Hockey Centre.

FINAL SCORE: Monash University Central 39 def. by City West Falcons 52

MUC SCORERS: Natalie Billings 20 (80%); Rhys Carter-Coleman 17 (74%); Ramayer Gourley 2 (40%)