BALLARAT Pride matched it with North East Blaze on Saturday night - but only for two quarters.
For the second week, UB Pride faded out for half of its Victorian Netball League championship game with poor decision making and basic errors costing it dearly in a 66-51 loss.
Pride, minus shooter Kathryn Vickers for personal reasons, came out firing in front of a vocal home crowd at the Wendouree Netball Centre, with goal shooter Catherine Maika making her physical presence felt under the ring.
Pride feeders Lauren Atkinson and Melissa Beaston were passing well into Maika and goal attack Bree Hanslow, while defenders Steph O'Nial and Mel Martinelli teamed well to continually rebound the ball.
Pride took a four-goal lead into the first break, but Blaze came out firing in the second quarter and quickly pegged the score back.
Turnovers started to cost Pride, with long passes into a double-teamed Maika being easily picked off by Blaze's defenders.
Coach Jo Dash said Pride's game plan was executed beautifully in the first quarter but the players faltered when Blaze lifted its intensity.
"They started forcing the ball and putting the goalers under pressure," Dash said.
"Bree had to come out more to get the ball and left Catherine with two players on her.
"In the first quarter we were fantastic. Our moves were strong and we let the ball go with confidence. We were strong and decisive in both defence and attack."
Pride players began to get frustrated, with Blaze goalers Melissa McCauley and Stacey Gannon starting to find their range.
At the main break, Pride was down 24-30.
The third stanza saw Pride and Blaze go goal for goal, with Maika grabbing some beautiful rebounds.
Pride struggled across the mid-court but were starting to find more space in the goal circle.
But the final quarter went all Blaze's way, with the height of shooter McCauley and the speed and agility of Gannon having a major impact.
Early in the fourth term, Blaze had gone out to an 11- goal lead, while Pride often chose wrong options and was hesitant in its play.
"We stepped our game up in the third quarter and gave ourselves a real shot. We fed off the ring and our intensity lifted," Dash said.
"But when the crunch came, we lost momentum. We didn't stop fighting but we lacked intensity.
"We can keep up with anyone for a half but we have a lot of work to do around our choice of pass and our decision making.
"It's a challenge but I'm still really excited about this team. It's the first time four or five of them have played at championship level."
Ballarat Pride's division one side had an easy victory 47 to 29, led by a dominant shooting display by Georgia Cann and outstanding defence from Kate Slattery, ably supported by Danni Davidson.
Stacey McCartin played a tough, physical game across centre court with several players rotated through goal attack, including Meg Gilbert, Jacinta Smith and Amy Caldow.
Email a friend