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Gulls, Steelers clash in semi-final series BASKETBALL
By Ben Triandafillou THE Western Port Steelers will take on top-ranked side, Chelsea Gulls, in the semi-final series of the division one Big V competition on Saturday 11 August. Both of the Mornington Peninsula sides come into the best-of-three series in hot form, with the Gulls winning their past 14 matches and the Steelers having won 10 of their last 11 games. While the Gulls enjoyed a bye through the opening round of the finals, the Steelers faced, and convincingly defeated the Warrnambool Seahawks (97-71) by 26 points at home. The Steelers look to continue their winning momentum into their next home game against the Gulls, before heading to the Gulls’ home for the remaining two matches. Western Port Steelers basketball operations manager, Tyler Molloy, said he was looking forward to seeing “two of the most inform teams” in the league battle it out in the semi’s. “It’s just a shame we couldn’t face them in the grand final,” Molloy said. “We’re pretty confident heading into the match. Hopefully we can make the most of our home game and kick off the series with a 1-0 start and put the pressure back on them.” The sides have faced each other twice, with the Gulls getting the upper-hand on both occasions. How-
ever, both games were played in the first half of the season and Molloy said the sides have “changed a fair bit since then”. Chelsea Gulls head coach Peter Caspersz is still confident his side can take the semi-final series. “Finishing on top [of the ladder] and having lost just the three games for the season, you’d have to have confidence heading into the game,” he said. “But, in saying that we’ve got to be wary of them and stay on our toes.” Caspersz said that while they did have a bye through the opening round, they certainly didn’t rest. “Instead of playing like usual we had another training session on the Saturday and while we could have used it to rest, I think if we needed rest before the finals then it could be a bit worrying,” he said. “I think they’re all feeling great and when I offered the Saturday training, they all jumped at it.” The Southern Sharks women’s championship side also made their way into the semi-finals after turning around their three-point loss to Hume City Broncos in round 17, and defeating them in the opening round of finals by six points (90-84). Southern Peninsula Sharks basketball operations manager Lucas Allen said that “they got the deserved win at a time which is quite important”. The Sharks will now face Waverly Falcons who have lost their last two games to the Hume City Broncos (70-78), and the Sunbury Jets (6174) in the opening round of finals.
“They’re prepared for them and by no means intimated,” Allen said. “They definitely have an opportunity against them and everyone from the club has jumped behind them, so I’m sure there’ll be a strong crowd supporting them.” The Sharks’ division two men’s side weren’t as fortunate in their finals match against the Melton Thoroughbreds, again suffering a narrow three-point loss. Allen said that it was just the “little things” that cost them the game. “We missed 11 free throws and lost by three points,” he said. “That was the difference in the game.” “It all just adds up to the bigger picture and it’s those things that cost you.” Allen said the Sharks are now getting behind their women’s team and will start to prepare for their upcoming season shortly.
Flying high: Corey Standerfer continues the Chelsea Gulls’ charge through the Big V finals series. Picture: Big V
Waves’ finals dreams all but over NETBALL
By Ben Triandafillou HOPE OF finals isn’t completely lost for the Peninsula Waves under-19s side despite losing their fourth place on the ladder to fifth ranked City West Falcons on Wednesday 8 August. In their second last round of the normal season, the Waves lost to the Falcons (49-56) by seven goals as they tried to keep their finals dreams alive. While the Falcons gained the crucial points needed to jump into fourth place, they’ll still need to score a victory over second-placed DC North East Blaze in round 18 to ensure that the Waves can’t reclaim their top four position. The Waves will also have to score a win over the 10th placed Melbourne University Lightning in the final round of the season in order to progress to the semi-finals on Wednesday 22 August. While the rest of the Waves and Southern Saints sides are unable to make the finals, there were still some positive signs for both clubs on Wednesday night. In the championship game, the Waves competed in a hot contest against the City West Falcons but were eventually worn down as the Falcons (48-73) continue to fight for the final spot in the semis. Victorian Fury teammates Jacqui Newton and Rahni Samason went head to head against each other, while former shooter Maddie Morrison was faced with the tough task of defending Falcons’ star goaler Jane Cook. Morrison gained three consecutive intercepts against Cook, despite the shooter’s noticeable height advantage. However, the Falcons came back fighting as Cook singlehandedly scored 21 goals for the Falcons in the final quarter. Waves Shooter, Rahni Samason, was also called up to play for the Melbourne Vixens in the Suncorp Super Netball League two weeks ago. The young netballer was filling in for Vixen’s shooter, Mwai Kumwenda, who tore her ACL the week prior.
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Mornington News
14 August 2018
For the Southern Saints championship side, they competed in an exciting game against the Geelong Cougars and despite the known strength of the Geelong lineup, the Southern Saints weren’t intimidated and forced the Cougars to fight for possession throughout the game. The Cougars eventually claimed a 13-goal victory (66-53) over the young Southern Saints side. In division one, Peninsula Waves are determined to finish their season on a high, defeating City West Falcons by a convincing 18 goals (55-37). The Waves took a 12-goal lead after just one quarter and continued to flaunt their improvement through the season. Waves captain Bridgette Barry Murphy was thrilled with her team’s performance, and said that it was great to be able to “put everything together and flow well” throughout the game. For the Southern Saints division one side, the 2017 premiers Geelong Cougars were too strong in the mid-section of the match and claimed the victory by eight-goals (54-46). The Southern Saints were able to control the court in the first quarter and lead the Cougars by three goals at quarter time but the Cougars quickly made amends for their slow start. The Southern Saints remained consistent throughout the game and managed to match the Cougars’ 14 goals in the final quarter. For the Southern Saints under-19s side, they suffered a 20-goal loss (56-36) to the reigning premiers, Geelong Cougars, who are looking to make it back to back premierships, but had Melissa Webster back on court after sustaining an injury earlier this year. The division one and championship sides for the Peninsula Waves, and the senior sides for the Southern Saints will compete in their final game for the season on Wednesday night while the under-19s Peninsula Waves team will attempt to jump back into fourth place. Peninsula Waves will verse Melbourne University Lightning while the Southern Saints will face the Selkirk Sovereigns.