BALLARAT Sovereigns coach Joh Curran is confident her charges will be able to get over the line in their Victorian Netball League Championship fourth round encounter with the North East Blaze after a strong performance over the weekend.
The Sovereigns were narrowly accounted for by 2015 preliminary finalists the Southern Saints 56-49 on Saturday afternoon. The Saints established a six point buffer at the end of the first period but were forced to fight in remaining three quarters, unable to extend their lead.
Curran said while it was pleasing to see the new-look Sovereigns gel on court, the side was not content with putting up strong contests. “The girls aren’t happy (with just competing) and they’re hungry for a win.”
The ACU Sovereigns will next face a Blaze outfit who were comfortably defeated by the City West Falcons over the weekend. While the Sovereigns are yet to register a win in 2016 in their first three rounds of competition they have faced two of the top three sides from 2015.
Curran said she expected the Blaze to play a tough physical brand of netball which would heap pressure on the Ballarat side.
“They have a really dogged, gritty defense and some really experienced players so we will have to make sure our ball use is good.”
The Sovereigns 19 and under side will be looking to extend their winning streak when they take to the court on Wednesday. The young Sovereigns are in equal top spot on the ladder and are yet to drop a match in 2016.
