Sappire Series round 10: Brisbane North Cougars vs Carina Leagues Club Tigers

It was a Brisbane netball talent showcase as season dominators Brisbane North Cougars took on the tenacious defending lineup of Carina Leagues Club Tigers. FULL MATCH REPORT AND REPLAY

The battle of the cats came to a head at the Nissan Arena at Nathan this afternoon when the Brisbane North Cougars took a fast and commanding 40-point lead over the Carina Leagues Club Tigers.

The Cougars remain undefeated this season having secured the 79-39 win against the Tigers in round 10 of the Sapphire Series.

Tigers goal attack Tash Robinson kicked things off with the first goal of the game, but within five minutes of the first pass Cougars had established a 5-4 lead.

“It was all Cougars from there,” noted commentator Dave Mills.

The match favourites played fast, polished and clean in the first three quarters, moving quickly down the court by passing to the driving space, not just to the player, and racking up just 17 infringements over the course of the game.

By half-time Cougars led 42-17 in what the commentators described as a “scary margin”.

Tigers coach Erin Brynes said, while there were some standouts, her players were capable of doing a lot better.

“(Former QLD Firebirds player) Amy Somerville was a workhorse, as always, doing a lot of work shooting those goals,” Byrnes said.

Sommerville had limited opportunities, however, as the Tigers struggled with a lower conversion rate and had to work hard to establish space in the circle.

Commentator and former Diamonds player Demelza Fellowes noted the Tigers lost much of their ferocity after half time as they faced an uphill battle to even up the scoreboard, prompting a time-out and pep talk from Byrnes who urged them to “fire up” and “get back in this game”.

“We had opportunities to stay in the contest and we didn’t capitalise on any of them,” Byrnes said.

“Our defence is fairly inexperienced and young, but when they find that confidence they’ll have a bit more of a go at the goal.

“At the moment they can be hesitant to have a crack.”

There was a significant shift in the fourth quarter when the Tigers dug deep for a strong finish, managing to score an even number of goals with the Cougars with four minutes remaining.

Though they ultimately lost the quarter, by just a couple of goals, Byrnes said that final push demonstrated the Tigers had what it took.

“The way we were playing we were never going to win … but the last quarter was an indication we shouldn’t have lost by the margin we did,” she said.

Cougars coach Liz White said her team were trying out different players in different positions, a tactic which seemed to pay off for them initially, but became “messy” by the fourth quarter.

“It didn’t come off so we’re going back to the drawing board,” White said.

White noted the Cougar’s poor turnover rate in the fourth quarter and said, while she was pleased her team secured the win, she was disappointed they hadn’t managed to maintain concentration for the full 60 minutes.

“They themselves know they didn’t push through and finish strong,” White said.

“I don’t care what the score is, I just want us to play well.

“Regardless of whether the score is three down or 30 up, you need to finish what you’re doing.”

The win sets the Cougars up well to face the USC Thunder, with White confident her players can perfect their process for the push to finals.