WITH both teams coming off a win last week, the tension was palpable ahead of Tuesday’s round three clash between the North Blue Bulldogs and the Jesters in the Broken Hill Netball Associations comp.
The outcome of a 30-24 win is North Blue’s second in the season as play heats up in the Broken Hill Netball Association Division One.
It was a fast start for the Jesters, who raced away with the first two points of the game, and had a quarter-time lead of four.
The only remaining undefeated team found more of the ball in the opening stanza and were crisp with their passing, often flicking the ball wide and then heading back inside once they got into their attacking third.
North Blue had moments in the game but coughed up the ball to defenders when heading into their goal third.
The Bulldogs started the second quarter much better than the first. The pressure applied on the Jesters led to them throwing loose passes and turning the netball over.
It was a stark difference from the first term with a 16 point to five quarter turning the game drastically in favour of the away team.
With a lead of seven at the main break, another successful quarter for North Blue stretched the lead to 10 as we turned for home.
The Jesters would end up winning the winning the final quarter, but it was all too little too late.
A professional performance in the second half saw North Blue control enough of the game to record a six-point win, sending the Bulldogs top of the league.
Adding further good news to the night for North Blue were the games of Eleanor Pitt, Claudia Shoobrige. and Zahila Delbridge, all three are junior players and built on successful performances against West Flames Black in round two as they adjusted to life at the senior level.
The Jesters are now third on the ladder, two points from North Blue in first.
A massive clash awaits the Jesters next week, against the second placed Heat.
Fresh of a disqualification on Tuesday, the Heat will be desperate for a win as they look to get back to top spot.
North Blue’s two game winning run looks set to become three when they face the fourth placed West Flames Silver on Tuesday.
A win for North Blue would see them four points clear of third and fourth, as well as two clear of second as they head into their bye.
For West Flames Silver, if they can cause an upset, it would see them leap into third. West Flames Black have the bye.
