IT WAS their best game of the season to date, yet the Sovereigns came up short once again on Sunday.
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Playing in just their second, and final, home game for the Victorian Netball League season, the ACU Sovereigns went down 45-60 at the hands of second-bottom side Geelong Cougars.
A costly first half ultimately proved the decisive factor, with Geelong establishing a 12-goal buffer at the main break. From that point onwards, the Sovereigns showed some fight, but never came close to reeling in the visitors.
Head coach Natasha Chokljat was forced to lament the costly turnovers that plagued her side.
However, she remained upbeat about what she labelled the best performance for the season.
“We haven’t strung four intensive quarters together, I think that was probably the closest we’ve been to doing it and the most consistent game we’ve had,” Chokljat said.
“It was probably the best game for the year so far in terms of consistency, but we’ve still got to eradicate the errors and work on a few things in defence.”
The Sovereigns made a promising start in the match at the Wendouree Sports and Events Centre, leading 4-2 in the opening minutes.
However, they then conceded a string of seven consecutive goals, setting the tone for the remainder of the match.
Chokljat heaped praise on wing attack Kelly Conroy in her return from injury, while Jordyn Bibby and Laura McDonald had a positive impact in attack in the second half.
Lauren Atkinson was also effective in wing defence, despite playing outside of her natural position.
“I was really pleased with the girls who came on after half-time,” Chokljat said.
“We’ve got to learn to win though. When we are getting on top and getting on a run we need to take advantage, but that’s where we are doing a silly pass or missing the easy shot.”
Playing in front of the home crowd, Chokljat was pleased her playing group managed to show some genuine fight even when staring down a one-sided scoreboard.
“I was pleased we did that because in our last home game we might have got a bit overwhelmed against a top side and I think we went out with a defeatist attitude,” she said.
“Their attitude out on court was a lot better this time.”
The ACU Sovereigns remained rooted at the foot of the VNL championship division ladder and will face eighth-placed side Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels in Melbourne on Wednesday.
RESULTS
CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION
Geelong Cougars 18 36 46 60
Sovereigns 11 23 36 45
SHOOTING - Geelong: not available at time of publication
Ballarat: Cynna Kydd 31, Jordyn Bibby 11, Laura McDonald 3
DIVISION ONE
Geelong Cougars 11 24 34 43
Sovereigns 7 19 27 35
SHOOTING - Geelong: Hayley Fidler 3/6 (50%), Jess Parry 12/23 (53%), Amy Starzer 20/34 (59%).
Sovereigns: Ruby Horton 30/35 (86%), Zanna Woods 12/16 (75%), Anastasia Hamill 1/4 (25%).
19/UNDERS
Geelong Cougars 5 18 25 30
Sovereigns 14 22 31 41
SHOOTING - Geelong: Abbey Ryan 14/27 (52%), Sacha McDonald 27/33 (82%).
Ballarat: Hannah Van Gemst 15/20 (75%), Mary Waldron 15/17 (89%).
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au