Cairns Netball club sends message with big win

Coach Naomi Moke says the Phoenix Fierce are starting to show just how good a netball side they can be after defeating Cairns Saints by 39 goals on Wednesday night.

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Coach Naomi Moke says the Phoenix Fierce are starting to show just how good a netball side they can be after defeating Cairns Saints by 39 goals in their Cairns Netball Association Senior Division 1 clash on Wednesday night.

The Fierce thumped Saints 55-16 for their second win in three games, with defending premiers Sharks the only side to find a winning formula against the new club in their opening round clash.

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While the Fierce were scoring at will through basketball converts Jade Kennedy and Cayla George, Moke said it was her side’s tenacity in defence that was most pleasing.

“Every time we either made a mistake or they got a goal, we turned it back around,” she said.

Fierce's Cayla George and Jade Kennedy dominate over the Saints defenders in the Cairns Netball Association Senior Division 1 match between the Phoenix Fierce and the Cairns Saints. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

“Instead of sooking about it or complaining to the umpires, this time we actually just got back on defence and stopped it before they got into their goal third.

“I think that was the big difference and I was really impressed with that.”

Moke said the quality of the side’s performances was improving each week.

Former Saints players Jeda Nash, Akayla Peterson and Leah O’Brien, who were part of the club’s Cairns Netball three-peat from 2016 to 2018, showed no mercy to their old club, and were among the Fierce’s best in the big win.

RESULTS — ROUND 3

Leprechauns d Cutters 54-34

Fierce d Saints 55-16

Sharks d Tigers 52-25

Originally published as Cairns Netball club sends message with big win