Netball SA Premier League R12 live stream: Oakdale eye upset over Contax to reinvigorate finals hopes

A second half surge has helped Contax power past a willing Oakdale, leaving the fifth-placed side scrambling to make the finals. Watch the REPLAYS now.

Oakdale were more than willing adversaries, but in the end the might of the Netball SA ladder leaders proved too strong to overcome. ‘

Contax cruised to a second-straight win as the competition heavyweights put the foot down in the run to the Premier League finals.

A dominant 20-goal third quarter was the turning moment for Contax, as they ran away with a 66-51 win on Friday night.

Oakdale had kept pace with their highly-fancied rivals for most of the first half, going blow-for-blow with Contax before heading to the break down by seven goals.

But they weren’t going to be able to keep star attacking duo Sophie Agostino and Kayla Graham quiet for long.

Agostino was unbelievable in the shooting circle, hitting her shots from all angles and distances as she nailed 41 goals from 42 attempts.

The loss leaves Oakdale in a spot of bother with two rounds left before the finals. Their last two games become must-win matches, with one of those against reigning champions Matrics, and will still need to rely on other results to fall their way.

Oakdale got a square up in the reserves clash, with their second-placed reserves side powering past Contax 53-40.

Oakdale’s scoring supremo Kayla Howes is motoring towards 500 goals for the season, adding another 42 to her tally. Howes needs only 28 goals in the final two games to hit the milestone, something that seems inevitable for a goaler averaging almost 40 per game.

REPLAYS

Replay: Contax v Oakdale (Premier League)

Replay: Contax v Oakdale (Reserves)

PREVIEW: Oakdale full of hope ahead of tough road

It’s a definite long shot, but Oakdale aren’t intimidated.

Beat the Netball SA Premier League leaders on Friday night and the finals are still well within reach. Everyone will take notice as well, how could they not!

Oakdale currently sit fifth, four points below Garville, who play Tango, with a win-loss record of 5-6. There are three games to go before the finals.

Contax are the benchmark side. Upstaged by Matrics two weeks ago, they bounced back to smash South Adelaide by 20 goals last week.

You can watch all the action from the Reserves and Premier League double header LIVE and EXCLUSIVE right here on KommunityTV from 7pm. Check out the schedule below for full details.

Star recruit Poppy Gilfillan-Silk said she was confident her side could give Contax a real run for their money.

“It’s going to be tough – we know we need to beat Contax and Matrics if we want to make finals,” she said.

Poppy Gilfillan-Silk said her team has prepared well for Friday night.

“But we take confidence from the fact we were close with Matrics earlier this season, and I think we’ll be a shot against Contax this week if we play four full quarters.

“They’re definitely a really challenging team, last time we played them we had three really good quarters and one where we dropped off, so we need to make sure we’re focused for a whole game.”

Oakdale has won two straight to remain in contention for finals after a tough five-goal loss to Garville in round nine.

Gilfillan-Silk said the team’s big win over Tango last week was the boost it needed heading into the final rounds of the year.

“We played really consistently and it was great to see that we got a big lead and didn’t let up, we just continued to push and extend the lead which was nice.

Oakdale's Asha Thurlow in action against Tango.

“We’ve definitely played some really good netball this year – when we’re on, we’re on.

“We probably would have liked a few more wins than we have now, but it’s just about continuing to find that consistency.”

While Oakdale knows Contax will pose the biggest test it has faced so far late in the season, Gilfillan-Silk said the team had prepared well and would be ready.

“It’s going to be about sticking to our game plan and what we’ve worked on at training,” she said.

“If we can turn in a consistent performance and take advantage of turnovers we’ll be a chance.”