Club Maitland City are ready to step up to meet the biggest challenge in Maitland netball, unseating Hills Solicitors and The George Tavern from the top two.
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The West Maitland club in their second year of A-grade netball maintained their mantle as the next best challenger to the two power clubs after a hard-fought 34-32 win against Maitland Blacks team Tolsaf Cranes.
Team member Kristen Swan said the side was far more consistent this year, after finishing fifth in their first season of A-grade.
The team has been as high as second on the table and third for the past nine weeks.
“We’ve proved we are a consistent team who can’t be taken lightly and are well placed to make a good strong run for the finals,” Swan said.
“Our goal keeper Kylee Holwell has returned from maternity leave and Alana Harris has come back into the mid-court and we’ve finally settled back into a really good rhythm.
We’ve been consistent, which was what we were lacking last year. We’ve boosted the squad and got that little bit more experience in A-grade.”
Swan said another major difference this year was that they were able to win even when below their best.
“Saturday wasn’t a great game for us but we still managed to come through with a win,” she said.
“I think we’re the dark horse in terms of the finals, we’ve been consistent but probably haven’t shown our best netball yet.
“We’re hoping to continue with our consistent performance, get some strong wins and cement a place in the top four.
“It all comes down to game day and who you have on your side and how they perform on the day.
“I know Hills have had a few injuries and a few players away and still perform strongly.
“The George are a team that want to win and I have no doubt they want to avenge their grand final side from last year.
“ Hills and The George are the two stand out wins, but in terms of finals Carpet Court had a win yesterday and are coming home strong and are in fourth spot.
“The difference between third and sixth is only eight points, so every game is going to be a semi-final game in intensity because they all want a top-four finish. You can’t discount any team going into the last five rounds.”
Hills and The George continued on their winning way going into the two-week July school holiday break.
The George were 59-17 winners against Royal Federal and Hills beat Branxton GMP 55-24 and
Maitland Carpet Court moved to fourth on the ladder with a comfortable 52-38 victory against The Bradford.
Branxton GMP, Tolsaf Cranes and The Bradford are a game outside the top four now. Maitland netball resumes on July 15.
