Cairns Netball: Smith-Ani, Barton lead dominant Sharks to top
Sharks claimed a dominant 61-31 victory over Cairns Saints in the fourth round of Cairns Netball Association’s Senior Division 1 competition on Wednesday night to maintain top spot on the ladder.
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Sharks claimed a dominant 61-31 victory over Cairns Saints in the fourth round of Cairns Netball Association’s Senior Division 1 competition on Wednesday night to maintain top spot on the ladder.
Saints came out firing after last week’s 55-16 loss to Phoenix Fierce and went goal-for-goal with the defending premiers in the first quarter for a narrow 11-10 lead at the first break.
Sharks’ defensive line-up demonstrated why they’re up there with the best in the league in the second quarter, with goal keeper Esther Ratalatala applying tight pressure to Saints’ goal shooter Mili Liriges.
At the other end of the court, Sharks sharpshooter Allessandra Smith-Ani started to sink her shots to give her side a 23-18 lead at half time.
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Sharks looked a completely different side in the third quarter, with wing attack Amanda Barton setting the tone with her quick movement through the midcourt and pinpoint delivery to Smith-Ani in the circle, who shot at more than 75 per cent.
Sharks scored 19 goals to Saints’ two in the third quarter and continued the momentum into the final stanza, which they also won 19-11.
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The 30-goal win adds to Sharks’ perfect title defence so far, with four wins from as many games in the 2020 winter season.
In other Round 4 games, Phoenix Fierce brought up their third straight victory with a 52-37 win over Leprechauns, while Tigers slumped to an 0-4 start to the season with a 52-27 loss to Cutters.
RESULTS
Senior Division 1 — Round 4
Sharks 61 d Saints 31
Fierce 52 d Leprechauns 37
Cutters 52 d Tigers 27
Originally published as Cairns Netball: Smith-Ani, Barton lead dominant Sharks to top