Stingrays dominate first quarter to beat Vipers in Netball Super League semi-final

Story and pictures by REDintern Chan Hui Mui

Jurong East Sports Hall, Saturday, April 18, 2009 – The Stingrays dominated the first quarter to set themselves up for an eventual 54-40 win over the Vipers in the Netball Super League. The semi-final win gave them a spot in the Preliminary Final.

Stingrays started off the game by taking a quick 2-0 lead with their defenders stopping most of the balls from coming into the goal circle. The Stingrays dominance was such that they limited the Vipers to only one goal to take a 9-1 lead within the first three minutes of the game. The Vipers WD Grace Sim struggled against the fast pull back of Stingrays WA Rachael Tan who, together with some sharp shooting from Stingrays GS Li Ling and GA Yeo Pei Qin, gave them a 17-8 by the end of the first quarter.

Entering the second quarter, the Vipers’ passing was going astray and they managed only one goal in the first two minutes. The Stingrays took advantage and built up a 21-9 lead.

“Slow down!” the Vipers teammates could be heard reminding one another. As the Vipers found a comfortable pace, a few good moves at the goal line by Vipers GA Tan Hui Yan helped the Vipers bring the ball into the goal circle on a couple of occasions.

However, tight defense by Stingrays in the last few minutes of the quarter allowed them to build up a 14-point lead at 29-15.

“We will do what they (Stingrays) do to us. It’s only half-time,” Vipers’ captain Grace Sim was heard encouraging her team.

In the third quarter, the Vipers had some success in stopping the Stingrays from attacking. Interceptions by Vipers GD Wong Min Chea together with Grace Sim interrupted the runs of the Stingrays WA Rachael Tan and they narrowed the deficit to 10 points. But the Vipers momentum faltered and Stingrays surged ahead to lead 42-27 at the end of the third quarter.

The Stingrays built a 16-point lead quickly in the fourth to continue their momentum to deny the Vipers any chance of a comeback and they eventually won 54-40.

In the other semi-final game, the Marlins held off the Mannas in the last 30 seconds to take the game 31-29.

Semi Final 1: 3rd vs 4th
*Winner will proceed to Preliminary-Final*

Stingrays vs Vipers
1st Qtr: 17-8
2nd Qtr: 29-15
3rd Qtr: 42-37
4th Qtr: 54-40 (Winner: Stingrays)

Semi-Final 2: 1st vs 2nd
*Winner will proceed to Grand-Final*
*Loser will proceed to Preliminary-Final*

Mannas vs Marlins
1st Qtr: 8-10
2nd Qtr: 11-17
3rd Qtr: 20-26
4th Qtr: 29-31 (Winner: Marlins)